DoD says Climate Change is National Security Risk

Here’s an item from our “Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Climate Change“ file.

While there continues to be much frothing about the mouth from conservative and libertarian types about climate change, there remains no doubt of its existence.

Some – mostly Republican & Libertarians – continue to assert that climate change is as much a hoax as the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny or Great Pumpkin. However, to be certain, there is no doubt that change has occurred, and continues to occur. The reason(s) why, and causes of the same are subjects of valid scientific debate and research. But there is no disagreement that change has, and is occurring.

The United States Department of Defense, in their Quadrennial Review, published February 2010, called climate change a national security threat.

From page 84, under the heading entitled “Crafting a Strategic Approach to Climate and Energy”:

“Climate change and energy are two key issues that will play a significant role in shaping the future security environment.
Although they produce distinct types of challenges, climate change, energy security, and economic stability are inextricably linked.”

 

The entire report in PDF file format may be downloaded from the DoD website by clicking on the image below.

Quadrennial Defense Review Report – Published every four years by the DoD, the QDR provides guidance for American national security. This is the 2010 edition.