"Pentagon Signals Security Risks of Climate Change"

"WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Monday released a report asserting decisively that climate change poses an immediate threat to national security, with increased risks from terrorism, infectious disease, global poverty and food shortages. It also predicted rising demand for military disaster responses as extreme weather creates more global humanitarian crises.

The report lays out a road map to show how the military will adapt to rising sea levels, more violent storms and widespread droughts. The Defense Department will begin by integrating plans for climate change risks across all of its operations, from war games and strategic military planning situations to a rethinking of the movement of supplies.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, speaking Monday at a meeting of defense ministers in Peru, highlighted the report’s findings and the global security threats of climate change."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times October 13, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. Military Lays Out Plan for Coping With Climate Change" (Reuters)

"Report Lays Out Military's Challenges With Climate Change" (Stars and Stripes)

"Hagel: Climate Change Will Challenge US Military" (AP)