Memo to the Military: Give a Damn About the Warming Planet
Global warming could be American imperialism’s undoing if Pentagon officials don’t prepare accordingly, a group of experts effectively reported in a study warning against such “climate surprises” as natural disasters, sea-level rise, drought and epidemics.
Global warming could be American imperialism’s undoing if Pentagon officials don’t prepare accordingly, a group of experts effectively reported in a study warning against such “climate surprises” as natural disasters, sea-level rise, drought and epidemics.
Contrary to many right-wing American politicians, the Pentagon already ranks global warming as a national security threat that could fuel certain conflicts and endanger troops worldwide. More than 30 bases could be underwater if and when the ice caps melt.
— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.
WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO…The Guardian:
Current scenarios could be thrown completely askew by “climate surprises”, the report said. These could be a single catastrophic event – such as a food price shock – or a cascade of reactions that could ultimately put America at risk. “It makes sense for the intelligence community to apply a scenario approach in thinking about potentially disruptive events,” the report said. “It may make sense to consider the security implications of two or three more plausible trends as a way to anticipate risks.”
The study also recommends a crash course for intelligence analysts on the potential threat posed by sea-level rise, drought, food shortages and other consequences of climate change. “It is essential for the intelligence community to understand adaptation and changes in vulnerability to climate events,” it said.
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