Climate Impact on National Security

It is increasingly evident that the national security responsibilities embodied within the missions of the U.S. armed forces are now directly impacted by the observed, and emerging, impacts of changing climates, both domestically and internationally. The complex, and often contentious, societal debates concerning the significance of changing climates take a more urgent tone when viewed through the lens of national security.

The Institute on Science for Global Policy (ISGP) and the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) are cooperating to address these issues by co-hosting an invitation-only conference entitled “Climate Impact on National Security (CINS)” to be convened on the AWC campus in Carlisle, PA, on November 28 – December 1, 2016.

The CINS conference agenda will follow the unusual, if not unique, debate/caucus format pioneered by the ISGP to critically examine credible scientific and technological information, review existing decisions and priorities, and focus on broadly supported decisions derived from credible scientific and technological understanding.

Specifically, six position papers prepared by internationally recognized subject-matter experts each will be debated for 90-minutes by 45–60 representatives from the U.S. armed forces leadership writ large, U.S. governmental agencies and departments, and representatives from the U.S. and international scientific and technological communities. Subsequently, extended small-group and plenary caucuses will be convened to identify areas of consensus and actionable next steps. All proceedings will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule (not for attribution). As a not-for-profit organization, the ISGP expresses no opinions nor does it lobby on any issue (www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org).

More about the Climate Impact on National Security conference is available by contacting Jennifer Boice (jboice@scienceforglobalpolicy.org or 520.343.8181).

Policy Position papers

ISGP Podcast: The [Sun]rise of Solar

The co-hosts outline the basics of solar energy, ranging from solar panel function to interactions between arrays and the larger power grid. How are...

ISGP Podcast: Remix to Ignition

Dr. Richard Alley
How do we know that excess atmospheric carbon dioxide is the primary driver of climate change? All the predictions say the same thing: temperatures...

ISGP Podcast: Keeping Up with the Climate

Kate Gordon
Did you know that climate change could cause decreases in labor productivity and increases in violent crime? How are climate-related economic losses r...

ISGP Podcast: Climactic

Prof. Inez Fung
Do you have questions about climate change? The Forum's crash course in Climate 101 breaks down the scientific evidence and examines possible outcomes...

Climate Impact on National Security (CINS): Executive Summary

Ever-increasing concerns over how climate change affect U.S. national Security was the subject of a series of conferences jointly organized and conven...

Climate Impact on National Security (CINS): Report

The impacts of climate change, such as increased flooding of coastal military installations related to sea level rise and intense storms, present sign...

Climate Risks, the Economy, and National Security

Kate Gordon
Whether in the public or private sector, long-term economic planning rarely takes climate change into account. Yet a warming climate will significantl...

Large and Long-Lasting Human-Caused Climate Change

Dr. Richard B. Alley
The carbon dioxide released into the air by human fossil-fuel burning will have large and long-lasting effects on climate and sea level, impacting hum...

Climate Security and “Actionable Science

Hon. Sharon Burke
The United States government recognizes climate change as a security issue, but has insufficient ends, ways, and especially means to actually improve ...

Managing Climate Risks for National Security: Resources, Data, and Connectivity

Dr. Amy Luers
The Federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars annually to support national security programs, infrastructure, and operations. Recogni...