Scientist Examine the Impact of Climate Change on U.S. National Security

A new report from Harvard University’s Center for the Environment titled “Climate Extremes: Recent Trends with Implications for National Security” identifies security risks from extreme weather and climate change.

The increasing number of extreme weather events such as, floods, drought, heat waves, and severe storms spurs scientist to draw a connection between increasing greenhouse gases and extreme weather. This new study was conducted to examine the potential impact extreme weather events will have on national security planning.

The authors of the report asked the following questions in regard to the coming decade: “Would these anomalous climate extremes persist?” “To what extent are the extreme conditions a result of natural variability or greenhouse warming?” “What are plausible impacts on U.S. national security interests?”

“The report concludes that the risks related to extreme weather require that the U.S. sustain and augment its scientific and technical capacity to observe key indicators, monitor unfolding events, and forewarn of impending security threats as nations adapt to a changing climate. The study recommends a national strategy for strategic observations and monitoring— including greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions, ocean temperatures, and satellite observations of the Arctic—and improved forecast models.”

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