National Security

 

 

 

Our Plan To Confront The Climate Risks To America’s National Security

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Climate Crisis is a Threat to National Security

Military, intelligence, and national security experts agree that the climate crisis is a national security threat multiplier to the United States and our interests abroad. U.S. military facilities and personnel face increasingly extreme weather, rising sea levels, and the associated global instability tied to these events. Many countries will experience climate-fueled disruptions, including weather-related disasters, drought, and damage to infrastructure that will stress their abilities to cope and exacerbate social, economic, and geopolitical instability.

The United States must protect its interests and lead the world in confronting the national security threats of the climate crisis by advancing climate resilience and preparedness for a strong national defense and preparing for the security impacts of climate change. This requires increased investment in military installations and readiness that anticipates these changing threats and strengthening of coordination across our military, intelligence, diplomatic, and development capabilities.

 

Ensure that DOD facilities, installations, and personnel are prepared for the impacts of climate change by updating the Department’s Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap and providing adequate resources and funding to adapt current and future operations to address the impacts of climate change.

Strengthen climate preparedness for DOD procurement, logistics, and supply chains and ensure that contractors evaluate climate risks.

Deepen collaboration among domestic military installations and communities by ensuring that installations coordinate resilience and adaptation planning and projects with states, tribes, territories, and local governments.

Address the domestic security threats of the climate crisis by directing the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to report on these threats to critical infrastructure, public health, water and food security, and climate-driven migration.

Prepare for the security impacts of climate change by incorporating climate projections into national security policy, planning, and analyses, including scenario-based stress testing of countries, regions, and critical systems.