As a young National Guard Infantry Officer in Afghanistan, I learned from my commander that "a 75 percent plan on time is always better than a 100 percent plan too late."

The fight we were engaged in was complex, but one simple fact that I observed to be true in Afghanistan applies worldwide: wherever there is hardship and instability, violent radicals and local authoritarian thugs thrived.

The battles of the 21st century have largely been waged to protect some of the world's most vulnerable populations. At every turn, the United States military has led this effort to uphold both security and stability. However, as a catalyst for conflict, global climate change is accelerating risk and will significantly increase the frequency and intensity of the demands on our armed forces.

Thankfully, the White House is taking action to combat this growing security threat. This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a plan by which it will carry out its obligation to regulate carbon pollution from our country's existing power plant fleet, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our country. This is the single largest step taken by any government to address climate risk.

From rising sea levels to increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms, to resource scarcity, the effects of climate change are already exacerbating security risks abroad and threatening our military installations here at home, putting critical infrastructure at risk.

For the complete article, please see Huffington Post.