Top U.S. Security Threats: Does Climate Have a Place?
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With so many pressing security matters- cyber and nuclear warfare, gun violence, drugs, human trafficking, and the list goes on- does Climate Change have a place as one of the top threats to our security? Many would begrudgingly say, “not under this administration!” Some offer a sincere, “I just don’t see how climate is a priority,” and still others who would reference The Bible say, “We were made to leave this earth not save it.”
That last comment was a response to a friend’s Facebook post recently, who shared four facts about Climate Change:
- 2016 was the hottest year on record
- Ocean water acidity has increased 30% since the Industrial Revolution
- Global sea level has risen by 6.7 inches in the last century
- Arctic sea ice is declining at a rate of 13.3% per decade
The commentator (we’ll call him Fred) went on to state, “…so much money was wasted on irrelevant research when our Veterans are being neglected…” This argument is unfair. We don’t have to choose between improving care for Veterans and sustainably managing resources. They are not exclusive. Maybe that’s the part Fred is missing, that those in support of Climate Change solutions are fighting for humanity’s fundamental right to clean air, clean water and a better quality of life. That includes veterans.
Climate Change poses threats to the U.S. and global economy, military, health, and for social justice issues of those most in need. There’s a multiplier effect to every impact, which makes the topic that much more relevant. Those four risks that Fred believes are insignificant, have the combined potential to wipe out coastal freshwater resources, reawaken insect-borne diseases, engulf entire communities in fire, threaten the ability of coastal military bases to continue to operate and of inland military training to occur efficiently, and so much more. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has excellent detailed reports broken down by sectors (water, human health, etc.) and regions of the world if you’re interested.
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Do I think Climate Change is a top security threat? If I knew exactly what we were up against in the traditional sense of security, I could give a more definitive answer. What I do know is that our ability to supply healthy food and water and reliable energy, and our ability to protect homes from wildfires, floods, and hurricanes are at stake. People will go to extreme measures to protect any one of these, let alone all four. Everyone is impacted, so it doesn’t makes sense to compartmentalize Climate Change into any one political party’s agenda.
The Principle
There are so many people and organizations leading the way, who look beyond their pockets, political affiliations or social pressures to do what is right for future generations, based on principle. We have spent a lot of resources and time figuring out the steps necessary to adapt to climate impacts; steps that not only increase return on investment and make us more resilient as a nation but that also enhance quality of life for everyone now. How can you say no to that?
Based on Principle 
4 Responses to “Top U.S. Security Threats: Does Climate Have a Place?”
As I view this hot topic (pardon the pun), I find that we are really dealing with so little data over the centuries.
Disclaimer: Obviously man should take care of his environment and it would be ludicrous to think that we haven’t affected local fauna, flora and environment. But to the extent of being the major cause of global warming?
A hot-flash topic. But questions that I mull over in my mind.
I find it interesting that we concentrate on that Arctic ice-caps and not including the Antartica.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/31052016/why-antarctica-sea-ice-level-growing-while-arctic-glaciers-melts-climate-change-global-warming
Wouldn’t both melt at the same time if it were “global’ warming?
As the Arctic melts there are discoveries;
https://listverse.com/2013/02/12/10-archaeological-discoveries-made-possible-by-global-warming/
I noticed that the discoveries suggest that northern global warming is not an anomaly but apparently has happened in the not too distant past (if we are talking in terms of thousands of years).
If it has happened in the past, is it man that is the root cause? Or is it cyclical and this is our first opportunity to visible see it while we assume it is only now that it is occurring?
Then there are other variables. I cannot find where the global monitoring devices are located. Are they properly placed for real temperature gauging? For an example, a monitoring device at a local airport tarmac will certainly be higher that the one placed in the trees in the green area 100 meters away from the tarmac.
In a few words, I don’t think it is at the same level as a war security threat and there are too many questions that I still have to change the threat from a yellow to an orange.
IMO, of course. 🙂
Ken
Another disclaimer, Ken is not a scientist and most certainly can be wrong in his interpretation.
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I appreciate the candid thoughts and understand how unanswered questions can lead people to dismiss the threats. I’m happy to discuss the process itself (whether it’s a hoax or a real concern). I think the discussion gets even more exciting, however, when people pause to consider the possibility that what scientists are presenting is 100% real. In other words, consider the possibility that climate change is real, we face these specific threats and we decide to NOT take action to prepare. The risk of NOT acting is tremendous! This video, albeit long and not of great quality, exemplifies the point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORv8wwiadQ
There is enough data from ice cores and other measures that go back far enough to show a definite spike in CO2. Graph and supporting information found here: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
While it’s an interesting question it doesn’t seem like scientists are only concentrating on what’s happening in the Arctic. The article references a deeper focus on trying to understand why Antartica is melting at a lower pace, but data since 2002 does show significant mass loss: https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/ice-sheets/ Just because something is not completely understood doesn’t mean it should be dismissed.
Scientists agree that enough evidence exists of both cyclical climate change AND extreme climate change. Temperature and CO2 aside, when the vital role of natural systems to manage the Earth’s temperature are understood it is clear to see we have not been using our natural resources in a sustainable way- people ARE at fault of interfering with God’s natural processes. One example stems from what’s commonly known as the Earth’s lungs, the Amazon Rainforest- critical in driving the cooling and filtering of air around the globe, as many forests around the world are: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/1053/amazon-inhales-more-carbon-than-it-emits-nasa-finds/
The temperature gauge location concerns are legitimate and one that scientists are well aware of and have worked around. The data derived for conclusions on centuries of temperature change are a result of multiple resources, including ocean temperatures. This link specifically addresses the concern: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/faq/temperature-monitoring.php
I can definitely agree that the current and looming wars including in the Middle East, with Russia, Iran, and North Korea are of more immediate and direct threat. I wonder if Darren Hardy’s concept- Elephants don’t bite. Mosquitoes bite.- can offer a valuable perspective. The elephant in the room is somewhat predictable and though if/when it strikes it will hurt, we have the resources to recover. But if we continue to ignore the tiny mosquito, bite after bite, that tiny habit could lead to (or has already led to) long-term damage.
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I may have given a wrong impression so perhaps a recap might help.
I hope that in no way did I infer that we shouldn’t address our environment. As I had mentioned before, man certainly has affected its local environment and we definitely should address our concerns. Also, I fully understand that there has been a “climate change”.
It was also not my intention to somehow “dismiss” the potential hazards that man has created. If I made it sound like that, please forgive me. I certainly don’t parrot what other people say i.e. “we don’t have a climate problem, it is a hoax”, but I do look at both sides of the coin and try to find truth in it to form my personal position. If I sound argumentative, which I will tend to do, I am only playing the “devil’s advocate” because if my questions aren’t answered sufficiently and convincingly, how can I defend a position when someone else has the same question? 🙂
Essentially I was saying that I had some unanswered questions and was hoping to get some good information so that I could solidify my position intelligibly. My question, I believe, were enumerated for the purpose of discussion, instruction and growth in understanding.
Perhaps additionally, the title suggested a comparison between US Security Threat vs Climate Change. At this point I do hold onto the position that a WWIII is more of a security threat than climate change because 4 or more atomic bombs, IMO, will ruin the climate a lot more than the mosquito bites and is more likely to happen before climate change becomes a national security threat.
I will continue on another answer — this was more of an explanation… questions and viewpoints forthcoming.
PS… I don’t get a “reply now posted” when someone answers as well as to whom I am talking to. Is that how the forum works?
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Sounds good. I’ll have to look into what shows when I post a “reply”. Are you not getting an email when someone replies to your comments? Sorry! I’m new to managing websites!
I hope I didn’t give a wrong impression either or come off rude in any way. As I think you yourself acknowledged, the response was meant to shed light on some of the best information available in the 21st century to help solidify those unanswered questions. I’m with you on atomic bombs being of greater concern, but don’t necessarily think it bumps Climate Change off the list entirely. I look forward to the continued discussion!
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