The National Security Significance of a Changing Climate: Risk and Resilience in the 21st Century

This conference explores the national security and economic implications of climate change on the current and future security landscape. Strategically and operationally, this affects both our ally’s and adversary’s behavior leading to the open-ended question—what does it mean if the Department of Defense (DoD) adopts a posture that focuses on the strategic implications of climate change? Not only does this impact where, when, and why the United States gets involved around the world, the economic implications are cross-cutting at home. This includes the increased use of military forces for domestic response, building resilience of defense infrastructure, and the corresponding impacts on training and readiness.

The changing climate also affects national security and economic interests in the oceans. Advancing U.S. economic, technological, environmental, security and defense interests in this internationally competitive environment requires a deeper understanding of the “blue” or ocean economy and how that connects to the U.S. naval and national security concerns.

Our defense, and the defense of countries around the world, is built within the context of a stable climate. From now on a stable climate is no longer a valid planning consideration. In fact, the changing climate can be seen as a high-probability, high-impact security threat presenting new risks around the world. We are proud to be the first DoD academic institution to host an open event exploring the national security significance of a changing climate. Videos from this event include:

• NSSCC: Risk and Resilience - Introduction
• NSSCC: SECNAV, Hon. Alice Hill, & Panel 1 - How a Changing Climate Affects Global Power Competition
• NSSCC: Panel 2 - The Impacts of the Changing Climate on Fragile States Around the World
• NSSCC: Panel 3 - Domestic Security Implications: Operations within the Homeland
• NSSCC: Panel 4 - Department of Defense Budget and Infrastructure Considerations
• NSSCC: Panel 5 - Blue Competition: U.S. & International Efforts to Develop a Blue Economy
• NSSCC: Entire Playlist