Report: Climate Change Brings Increased Security Threat
The CNA Military Advisory Board released an updated report titled “National Security and the Accelerating Risks of Climate Change.”
The report states: “The update serves as a bipartisan call to action. It makes a compelling case that climate change is no longer a future threat—it is taking place now. It observes that climate change serves as a catalyst of conflict in vulnerable parts of the world, and that projected changes in global migration patterns will make the challenges even more severe. It identifies threats to elements of National Power here at home, particularly those associated with our infrastructure and our ability to maintain military readiness.”
“The update makes clear that actions to build resilience against the projected impacts of climate change are required today. We no longer have the option to wait and see.”
Recommendations include:
- To lower our national security risks, the United States should take a global leadership role in preparing for the projected impacts of climate change.
- Supported by National Intelligence Estimates, the U.S. military’s Combatant Commanders (CCMDs) should factor in the impacts of projected climate change across their full spectrum of planning and operations.
- The United States should accelerate and consoli- date its efforts to prepare for increased access and military operations in the Arctic
- Climate adaptation planning should consider the water-food-energy nexus to ensure comprehen- sive decision making.
- The projected impacts of climate change should be integrated fully into the National Infrastruc- ture Protection Plan and the Strategic National Risk Assessment.
- In addition to DOD’s conducting comprehensive assessments of the impacts of climate change on mission and operational resilience, the Depart- ment should develop, fund, and implement plans to adapt, including developing metrics for measuring climate impacts and resilience. The Department should place a greater emphasis on the projected impacts of climate change on both DOD facilities and associated community infra- structures.
