The connection between climate change and national security is not new, but has been steadily rising in public attention in recent years. The connection is based on the fact that the human impacts of climate change can worsen existing threats, exacerbate social instability, and increase the risk of non-violent conflicts. These threats can have devastating effects on everything, including economic stability and national health.
While the impacts of climate change do not affect national security, it has been a regular topic of discussion since 1991 in national security strategy guidance. These issues include increased heat waves, drought, flooding, and sea level rise. Air Force Chief of Staff has, for example, cited the impacts of climate changes in the war in Syria.
One of the main consequences of climate change is the loss of agricultural production. In tropical areas, crops are unable to withstand the heat and dry conditions. Crop yields will drop by 20-50 percent over the next decade. This will cause food shortages and increase hunger. In addition, frequent weather events can cause business interruptions and property damages. It also exacerbates the need for humanitarian aid.
To counter the danger of climate change, adaptation strategies are vital. But the United States has had an uphill battle convincing other nations of the need to address warming. Rich nations will also need to be leaders and reduce emissions beyond their current promises. The hardest hit will be the developing nations.
A new report from the Center for a New American Security (CNA) Military Advisory Board has identified the effects of climate change on national security. According to the report, a changing climate will significantly increase the likelihood of armed conflict and civil disturbances in volatile areas of the world. This includes areas in which climate change can disrupt social order, reduce access to essential necessities, and undermine fragile government.
This report points out the case of Africa, where there could be a reduction on access to water, food, and that could lead to more severe, costly and frequent disasters. Meanwhile, a more frequent and pronounced heat wave will increase the risks of infectious diseases. The Arctic Ocean will also be affected by climate change. This will lead to increased competition for resources. Climate change will ultimately lead to tens to millions of people being displaced by 2050.
These future threats can be addressed by the military. The overemphasis placed on climate change as a national security risk risks underestimating the interconnected nature of successful adaptation solutions. It is better to concentrate on international assistance than military solutions.
Nearly 60 percent of Americans see climate change as a major threat to their country, according to the Center for Disease Control. While Republicans tend to believe that climate changes are caused by human activity alone, Democrats are more inclined to highlight local causes.
FAQ
What is the status of international efforts to tackle climate change?
The current international climate change effort is characterized by unprecedented unity and momentum. Countries from all over the globe are increasingly coming together to find ways to reduce their emissions, increase resilience against impacts and invest in renewable energy.
The Paris Agreement has been a catalyst for global action. Individual countries can set voluntary targets for reducing their carbon emissions by using the framework provided by the Paris Agreement. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is also providing guidance to policy and piloting innovative initiatives, such as carbon market mechanism.
Other regions are seeing progress. The European Green Deal is a comprehensive legislation package that seeks to create a European economy with sustainability as its core. Countries on the African continent also have committed to The African Renewable Energy Initiative, which aims increase Africa's participation in global renewable energy production.
There are many sectors and industries that are taking action in addition to policy development. Cities are making active transitions toward sustainable public transport systems, while society overall is adopting more sustainable lifestyles. Businesses are innovating technologies which reduce emissions, while investors move their capital from fossil fuels to renewables.
The OECD committee has adopted common standards to report national actions on climate change by rich countries. This is known as the 2021 Guidelines.
These efforts demonstrate the importance of climate action. If we are to meet the Climate goals as set out by science and enshrined into international law, governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders must all continue to build on this momentum.
What can be done to ensure a sustainable future, given the climate change challenges?
Sustainability is the ability not only to meet current needs but also to ensure that future generations can meet their needs. In light of the increasing challenges posed by climate change, there is an urgent need for drastic action to eliminate our dependence on finite resources and shift towards a more sustainable approach to how we use them.
We must reexamine how we consume and produce energy, as well as our dependency on natural resources like fossil fuels, if we are to make a transition towards a more sustainable future. We must look for new technologies and renewable sources of power, as well as systems that lower harmful emissions and still provide our daily needs.
A holistic approach to sustainability is also essential. This means that all aspects are considered, including the materials used, waste management strategies and reuse strategies, as well energy usage in transportation and industry. There are many possible solutions, such as the use of renewable energy like solar, wind, or hydropower; better waste management; increased efficiency of agriculture; improved transport networks; green construction regulations; and sustainable city planning initiatives.
Furthermore, behavioral changes are required amongst individuals across different sectors throughout society for us to accomplish this goal. Education programs are needed which will support people in understanding the issues related to climate change and how they can contribute positively towards a more sustainable world through micro-actions such as reducing food waste or adopting low-carbon lifestyles.
Collaboration between government leaders, industry leaders, as well as citizens is the only way to make significant progress toward creating a more sustainable future for our children.
What is the role of greenhouse gases in climate change?
Greenhouse gasses are key to climate change. They act as an invisible shield around the Earth and trap infrared radiation, warming the atmosphere. Without them, our planet would be much cooler than it is now.
The human activity of burning fossil fuels, or other industries that generate emissions, can create greenhouse gases. As these activities continue to increase, more heat gets trapped in the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the largest greenhouse gas. This is due to fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gas. Important contributors are also methane and nitrousoxide (N2O), as well fluorinated gases (Fgases).
Human activities have caused a significant increase in greenhouse gas concentrations since preindustrial times. This has led to global warming and an increase in temperatures all over the world, as well as in our oceans. It is also causing major changes such as stronger storms and more droughts, melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and increased flooding.
To prevent further climate change-related damage, humanity must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by moving away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. There are also ways to reduce CO2 emissions, such as by planting trees and using agricultural techniques that absorb more of the gas. These activities will reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and create a healthier environment that supports all life.
What can we do to help the climate change process?
Climate change is due in large part to human activity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) states that humans are responsible more than 70% for global warming in the past 20 years.
Burning Fossil Fuels: Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This adds to already existing levels of atmospheric CO2, which act as a "greenhouse gas" by trapping heat from the sun in Earth's atmosphere and increasing temperatures even further. This causes higher ocean levels, as Arctic ice melts. It also scrambles weather patterns across the globe, leading to dangerous storms, droughts, floods and other problems that can affect food production and human health.
Deforestation. Trees that absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in photosynthesis will be effected by being cut down. Deforestation also raises albedo (the amount of reflected solar radiation that is returned into space) and reduces solar heat absorption by earth's surface, thereby promoting global warming. Also, deforestation can lead to a decrease in local air quality and respiratory problems.
Farming: Each year, between 14% and 18% global anthropogenic greenhouse gases are released by the animal agriculture industry. Because of its high methane content, animal waste emits large amounts methane into the atmosphere. Reducing your intake of animal products is an effective way to lower your greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrous oxide can also be released into our atmosphere. This creates smog that harms our respiratory system.
In conclusion, human activity has been drastically impacting our environment for centuries now, but with rapid advances made in technology such as renewable energy sources availability we have started turning our heads towards the future leaving behind carbon-emitting heavy industries results will soon start speaking themselves clearly when we leverage on technology through green innovation paving away toward eco-friendly efforts combatting climate change efficiently keeping everyone safe under prosperous nature purview.
How are developing countries and communities affected by climate change?
Due to their limited access to healthcare and technology, developing countries and communities are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Changes in temperature and precipitation can put more pressure on already limited resources. This is accompanied by flooding and droughts that weaken already fragile ecosystems. Rising temperatures can cause a drop in crop yields which will adversely impact the poorer communities that are struggling to feed their families. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes or heatwaves may cause damage to infrastructure and the displacement of people. This can further perpetuate economic inequality.
Long-term consequences of climate change include increased resource scarcity and poverty as well as health effects such as an increase in vector-borne diseases like malaria or dengue fever. Additionally, flooding will become more common due to rising sea levels and extreme weather. These risks can put lives at high risk in coastal areas with a dearth of infrastructure or emergency services. To build resilience against these risks, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is necessary. Other measures include improved management and better access to water resources.
Statistics
- The 10 countries with the largest emissions contribute 68 percent. (un.org)
- Indigenous peoples and local communities receive less than 1% of all climate funding despite scoring wins for people and nature Africa's broken food markets must be fixed to tackle hunger (climatechangenews.com)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
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How To
How to support climate-friendly policies and companies
There are many ways that individuals can support climate-friendly companies and policies. This can include speaking out against non-climate-friendly businesses or politicians, voting for pro-environment candidates, writing letters or emails of encouragement to those who are already taking positive action towards the environment, and signing petitions in favor of policies that encourage and support climate-friendliness. Individuals can also take immediate steps to make a difference by switching to providers with a better record in the environment or choosing sustainable products instead of those with higher carbon omissions.
A key step to supporting climate-friendly policies is reducing one's carbon footprint. It is possible to make simple changes such as turning off lights and unplugging devices, moving by public transport or carpooling, using eco-friendly household goods like biodegradable cleaning products and composting kitchen wastes instead of adding them to the landfills.
Investors who are keen to support climate-friendly policies will want to find companies that produce lower carbon emissions before investing. Investors who are interested in supporting climate friendly policies should research companies that emit less carbon than they own. They should also review their portfolios frequently to make sure they comply with the sustainability standards set by them. Green bond investors will want to ensure their investments do not fund any activity that releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than it takes away. Investors should consider any opportunities that could allow funds to be used for green business activities. These include renewable energy alternatives as a way to promote sustainability and community-building projects using green technologies.