The American Security Project hosts a series of public events across the country that featuring retired military officials and political leaders from our “Consensus for American Security” speaking about the threats of climate change to national security. The Consensus is made up of influential military and national security leaders who advocate for long-term consensus around national security issues facing the U.S.
These events include meeting with veteran groups, religious and evangelical groups, and young conservative organizations. The speakers talk about security planning and war fighting, not about polar bears or ecosystems. This is a grassroots effort to build a consensus among Americans around the country from left to right, and especially among the non-political, that climate change is not simply a low-priority ‘green’ issue: it is a pressing national security threat, and should be treated as such.
South Carolina – November 2015
Seattle, Washington – March 2019
Phoenix, Arizona – November 2019
Las Cruces, New Mexico – February 2020
The intent of these events is to show that the climate we live in influences every aspect of everyday life – what you eat, where you live, how you make your living. Changes to that climate will have a direct impact on every one of us. The key points are:
Scientists agree that humans are causing climate change. And no security professional would wait until they had 100% certainty before acting to mitigate a threat
It will act as an “Accelerant of Instability” or a “Threat Multiplier” that makes already existing problems worse
America’s infrastructure, food production, transportation network, and American lives are at risk
The U.S. military is working with allies, studying potential threats, ensuring resilience to extreme weather, and preparing to deploy when needed
Rising seas and increased extreme weather will harm readiness and increase costs
To reduce climate risk, the U.S. government, and governments around the world, must take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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