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According to the New York Times, the Pentagon and the State Department are now including climate sections in thier long-term plans. Global climate change is expected to pose risks to our national security, and they want to be prepared.

In particularly vunlnerable regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia, it is predicted that an American humanitarian relief or military response may be neccessary to assist with food shortages, water crises and catastrophic flooding.

These conditions could also fuel terrorist actions and destabilization of governments. The climate change conversations have now gone beyond just alternatives to fossil fuels, and to also considering  national security risks due to the effects of climate change. According to an assessment by the National Intelligence Council, “The demands of these potential humanitarian responses may significantly tax U.S. military transportation and support force structures, resulting in a strained readiness posture and decreased strategic depth for combat operations.”

More intense weather events here at home, such as Hurricanes Andrew in 1992, and Hurricane Ivan in 2004, have already resulted in damaging our own military installations in Florida.  Subsequently, military planners are considering rising seas and storm surges in strategic planning efforts to protect major naval stations in Virginia and California.

I am happy that the conversation about climate change is expanding.  I am happy that our national government is looking ahead and planning adaptation scenarios to protect our citizenry.  But this is a global issue, and we may indeed be called upon to act on the behalf of others. Our military, in the process of humanitarian relief, may also be asked to address political and religious conflict, the spread of contagious diseases, and vast damage to infrastructure. A Real American Hero, GI Joe. (definately, click this link!)