On Wednesday, May 26th, a panel gathered at the Portsmouth Public Library to discuss climate change and energy with local residents. It was not your average group of environmental activists. Rather, attendees were given a sobering look at the cost of America’s addiction to fossil fuels to those at the front lines of defending the lifestyle it permits, by some of those who have been there.

Sponsored by the Pew Project and the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, the Panel on National Security, Energy, and Climate brought their country-wide tour to the Granite State to give a different spin to the argument for energy policy reform. The panel included Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn; Former Army Captain Mike Breen, who grew up on the NH seacoast; Jim Kesseli, President of NH-based alternative energy research and development firm Brayton Energy; and Phyllis Cuttio, Director of Pew’s Climate and Energy Program.

McGinn, one of more than 40 retired military officers on board with the Pew Project, presented a harsh look at America’s precarious energy situation. Based on information collected from numerous Department of Defense and CIA reports and briefs, he portrayed a world growing increasingly unstable in the face of environmental crises and resource shortages. At the same time, McGinn indicated that America’s armed forces could be hindered by these crises and shortages, while coming under growing pressure to provide stability.

Kesseli spoke to his company’s efforts to develop alternative sources of energy. All of the panelists agreed that such efforts must be hastened and redoubled before the threat, in the words of McGinn, “put our backs against the wall.”

Breen put forth the most personal and immediate argument for energy policy reform. Having served in Afghanistan, he explained what he called “the interesting dynamics” of keeping the frontline soldier supplied with fuel necessary for modern combat; dynamics with devastating consequences:

Given these consequences, the panelists urged the audience to get involved in pushing America towards energy independence and beyond fossil fuels. From choices made at home to influencing the choices made in Washington, all agreed that there is much that the average citizen can do to get the nation on a sustainable course. The lives of our service men and women, present and future, depend on it.

For more information the Pew Project, please see their National Security, Energy, and Climate website.