Climate Change and National Security

Jul 24th, 2009 1:54 PM UTC
By Darren Nowels

On Tuesday, I attended a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled Climate Change and Global Security: Challenges, Threats, and Diplomatic Opportunities. The hearing investigated the link between climate change and the predicted consequences to U.S. and international security. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) stated that climate change is a threat multiplier in its propensity to cause draughts and famine, creating ripe circumstances for devastating conflict. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) linked national security threats seen from American dependence on foreign oil with possible threats arising from the effects of climate change.

The star witness, former Senator John Warner (R-VA) focused on the need for the United States to be an international leader in developing new strategies to counter the consequences of climate change. Another witness, Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, President of the American Security Project, put forward that conditions such as famine and draughts that result from climate change will create an atmosphere conducive to the recruitment of terrorists. Admiral Gunn followed Senator Warner’s sentiments, saying the United States must lead the international community in adapting more effective climate policies. Sharon Burke, Vice President of the Center for a New American Security, highlighted the draughts and famines which help fuel conflict in places such as Somalia.

Members of the Committee in attendance were Senators John Kerry, Richard Lugar, Robert Casey (D-PA), Bob Corker (R-TN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Ted Kaufman (D-DE).

Senator Casey asked about the role of the NGO community, Senator Corker discussed the effect of migrating and refugee populations on the management of resources such as water supply, Senator Shaheen asked what support is necessary in order to carry out the needed reforms and what the costs would be of inaction.

-Darren Nowels

TAGS: Climate and Development, Policy News