Today a panel of eleven senior admirals and generals brought together by the CNA Corporation, a leading defense analysis organization, released what I think is a groundbreaking report in the current debate over climate change.
Having worked with them on the release, I found the end result a real eyebrow raiser for conservatives.Among other findings, their report, National Security and the Threat of Climate Change, explores ways projected climate change could be a “threat multiplier” in already fragile regions of the world, exacerbating conditions that lead to failed states, the breeding grounds for extremism and terrorism.
Here’s how General Gordon Sullivan, chairman of the panel and former Army chief of staff, introduced the report at a Washington, DC press conference today:
“As a group, we are not your traditional śenvironmentalists - we are former military leaders who joined this effort because we believe it is important to determine if and how climate change could impact the way our military plans and executes operations around the globe - and what can be done about it. Many of us entered the project as what you might call climate skeptics - but we have come out united around the conclusion that climate change is a serious threat to our national security.
“I joined because during my service to our nation, I saw the importance of natural resources and their connection to conflict. I was Army Chief of Staff during the conflict in Somalia, and I saw how people can be driven to violence when their water, food and land are disappearing. In the past months, as I’ve worked on this project, I’ve seen that climate change is already threatening to have negative effects on people around the globe - and I believe, as we all do, that our military must begin planning for a new world, shaped by the effects of climate change. . .
“We found that climate instability will lead to instability in geopolitics and impact American military operations around the world. Planning for the consequences of climate change should begin immediately, as should working together to help reduce its severity. . .
“Given the scope of the threat posed by global climate change, the clear and inescapable conclusion is that swift, focused and determined action is required.”ť
Sobering words. The report is available online at http://SecurityandClimate.cna.org. It’s worth a read.
This entry was posted on Monday, April 16th, 2007 at 1:36 pm and is filed under Climate Change, International Environmental News, National Security . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Did you know that it is getting warmer faster on Mars that it is on earth? The reason is the thinner atmusphere. But you say there arn’t any people there to mess up the invirement, Hey, you are absolutely correct. So, what is the deal? Well I hate to bring this to your attention but you remember some of the people on earth still believe in God. Well He set this plannet up for 7000 years only, this one will eventually fall into the sun. I have much to say on this subject, but gotta run now. If you want to hear more, I will show you 13 places in the Word Of God, where it tells us of this. By.
April 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
The threat is real, though not from climate change itself. The danger is from those who promote natural solar activity as the “fault” of the developed world, and more than mere fault, an active effort to destroy the developing world. If, instead of working to supply and protect developing societies, the West is required to defend itself from their wrath — against the Sun! — the future is dark indeed for all of us.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Climate change is not the threat, the danger is from listening to the “chicken littles” crying out in fear “the sky is falling”. Looking at the geological record, the climate on this planet has varied from ice age to global tropical conditions several times. If you think about it, the inside of the earth is molten, why or how could this be if the earth is about 4 billion years old, then how could the interior still be molten. There are other forces at work here, linked to the solar output and magnetic field interaction. I don’t believe man’s puny effect on the planet could cause global warming climate change. The security threat is from those who would steal our freedoms and force us to live according to their “religious” beliefs. Yes the modern “environmentalist” is a religious fanatic. One that wants to impose their “religious faith” on others, and by force if necessary.
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:53 am
Excellent points all.
- The New Church of Environmentalism -
From the ‘progressive’ and ‘rational’ liberal tradition that feels it must believe in the mystical cause. See Bill Whittle’s latest post.
http://www.ejectejecteject.com/
Apply Occam’s Razor and see where you end up.