Climate change will challenge US military
Changes in climate patterns, resulting in increased severe weather events and coastal flooding, will have a broad and costly impact on the Defence Department.
Rising sea levels and other effects of climate change will pose major challenges for America's military, including more and worse natural disasters and the threat that food and water shortages could fuel disputes and instability around the world, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Monday, according to News24:
Addressing a conference of military leaders as the Pentagon released a new report on the issue, Hagel said, "Our militaries' readiness could be tested, and our capabilities could be stressed."
US military officials have long warned that changes in climate patterns, resulting in increased severe weather events and coastal flooding, will have a broad and costly impact on the Defence Department's ability to protect the nation and respond to natural and humanitarian disasters in the United States and around the globe.