Center for a New American Security

The U.S. Department of Defense @DeptofDefense: “@CommerceSec John Bryson blogged about #LawoftheSea after his speech on the oceans today.ow.ly/bnuos.”

DOD’s Twitter feed linked to a blog post by Secretary of Commerce John Bryson on the Commerce Department’s website where Secretary Bryson argues the business case for ratifying the Law of the Sea Convention. Secretary Bryson notes that acceding to the convention enables the United States to promote energy security efforts by securing sovereign claims to oil and natural gas on the extended continental shelf.

The Diplomat @Diplomat_APAC: “Working in the fields isn’t typically considered a dangerous job. In#Cambodia it can be. ht.ly/bo44B.”

The Diplomat reports that agricultural fields in Cambodia are still littered with unexploded ordinance largely left over from the Vietnam War. The report reminded me about the efficacy of efforts lead by the Department of Defense (including military-to-military cooperation) to work with other countries like Vietnam around ordinance disposal, helping to restore fertile farmland for vital agricultural production.

The Huffington Post’s energy and environment beat @HuffPostGreen: “5 ways that states are (and aren't) planning for rising sea levels http://bit.ly/M9jhbV.”

The Huffington Post links to a photo essay that assesses how well states are prepared to adapt to sea level rise, specifically California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Virginia and North Carolina.

Amy Harder of The National Journal @Amy_NJ: “Nearly 2/3 of @nationaljournal insiders support the military's renewable-energy push,  @SarasorcherNJ  reports: http://njour.nl/LvJZZM.”

The National Journal reports that nearly two-thirds of its National Security Insiders support the military’s push for renewable energy, including investments in biofuels. The report provides commentary from both supporters and opponents of the military’s energy efforts that were polled for the study.

Circle of Blue @circleofblue: “#Oil theft and illegal refineries causing vast #water #pollution in #NigerDelta:   @Reuters http://su.pr/9fAWRS #Nigeria.”

Circle of Blue links to a report from Reuters that says that oil theft is rampant in the Nigerian Delta – Nigeria being the fifth largest supplier of oil to the United States. The number of thefts in the aggregate is reportedly staggering: “Shell, the biggest operator, says 150,000 barrels per day is stolen from Africa's top oil producer.” Moreover, illegal refineries have a lasting impact on the environment, especially the poor infrastructure that contributes to water pollution.