Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Trends and Implications of Climate Change for National and International Security.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Defense Science Board. Task Force on Trends and Implications of Climate Change for National and International Security

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Department of Defense--Planning.

United States.

United States. Department of Defense.

Climatic changes--Political aspects.

Climatic changes.

Climatic changes--Government policy--United States.

Military planning--United States.

Military planning.

Security, International.

National security--United States.

National security.

Water-supply.

Water security.

Water Supply.

Climatic changes--Government policy.

Planning.

Medical Subjects:

Water Supply.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxii, 151 pages) : color illustrations, color maps

Other Title:

Trends and implications of climate change for national and international security

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, [2011]

Summary:

Changes in climate patterns and their impact on the physical environment can create profound effects on populations in parts of the world and present new challenges to global security and stability. Failure to anticipate and mitigate these changes increases the threat of more failed states with the instabilities and potential for conflict inherent in such failures. This report begins with an overview of the impacts of climate change over recent decades while recognizing uncertainty about the pace of future changes. It examines the political consequences of climate change as it relates to national and international security, with special attention to the African continent due to the vulnerability of African nations with high potential to intersect with United States national interests. Within this context, the study examined the roles of the Department of Defense and the national security community writ large in responding to effects of climate change in both the United States and in key areas of the globe. The deliberations of the task force identified the urgent need for clear roles and policies throughout the US government addressing the consequences of climate change and produced a set of recommendations on how the US government can manage the near-term effects on populations and the longer-term need for adaptation that impacts US and international security interests. The recommendations include specific roles for the Department of Defense in helping both the United States and U.S. Africa Command address these challenges. The recommendations fall into five main areas: The need for developing a robust climate information system. Instituting water security as a core element of DOD strategy. Roles of the national security community, including the intelligence community, the Department of State, and the White House. Guidance and DOD organization to address the full range of international climate change-related issues and their impact on the evolution of DOD's missions. Combatant command roles, responsibilities, and capacities. The report emphasizes that the United States cannot enter into an open-ended commitment to dealing with the need to address the near term consequences of climate change or the longer term need for adapting to the change. The United States can provide needed expertise, leadership, and some level of resources where it is in the national interest to do so. To be effective, Department of Defense actions must be part of a comprehensive multi-department approach and in coordination with international efforts.

Contents:

Executive summary.

Chapter 1. Current observation, model, and climate projection capabilities.

Chapter 2. Current climate change situation and trends.

Chapter 3. Potention consequences of climate change.

Chapter 4. Roles of the national security community.

Chapter 5. Role of the Department of Defense.

Appendix A. Climate information system needs.

Appendix B. Special topics.

Terms of reference.

Task force membership.

Presentations to the task force.

Glossary.

Notes:

Title from cover screen (viewed on Nov. 21, 2011).

"October 2011."

Includes bibliographical references.

OCLC:

761733344