Building Climate Resilience through Collaboration: ONR Global's Participation in DoN Climate Action 2030 Tabletop Exercise III

From June 25-26, the Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global) Science Director, Dr. Kyle Gustafson, PhD , participated in the Department of Navy Climate Action 2030: Tabletop Exercise III, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Co-hosted by The Honorable Meredith Berger , Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and the Environment, and Kevin Staley , Security Cooperation Lead, United States Southern Command , the two-day event brought together official representatives from 12 Caribbean nations and subject matter experts from seven U.S. agencies.

Gustafson was joined by Dr. Emily Shroyer , representing ONR's Ocean Battlespace Sensing Dept., and Dr. Mark Spector , representing ONR's Sea Warfare and Weapons Dept., who shared their expertise in oceanography and advanced energy technology, respectively. The focus of the exercise was to identify specific collaboration opportunities – programs, exchanges and capabilities where U.S. and Caribbean partner nations can work together to build climate resilience, with a particular emphasis on preparedness ahead of a disaster.

During the event, Gustafson engaged in discussions with Puerto Rican academics, encouraging the organization of a Collaborative Science Program workshop on climate risk mitigation innovations. Potential partner hosts for the workshop include Jamaica, Barbados, Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic. A strong point of emphasis among the Office of Naval Research and ONR Global participants is to avoid duplication and encourage interagency cooperation, including with NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of State .

Gustafson emphasized the importance of building relationships and sharing knowledge to address the complex challenges of climate change. "By working together, we can develop innovative solutions that benefit both the United States and our Caribbean partners," he said. "We are committed to collaborating on research and development efforts to enhance climate resilience and reduce the risks associated with a changing climate."

The Dept. of the Navy's Climate Tabletop Exercise III is part of a series of events aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change on naval installations, operations and the communities that surround them. By bringing together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders, the goal is to take a proactive approach to building climate resilience and promoting sustainability.