Climate security

Why Environmental Issues Are Crucial to National Security

Despite the fact that 97% of active climate change scientists believe in manmade global warming, President Donald Trump and numerous administrators, including the head of the EPA, Scott Pruitt, don't fully believe the scientific research backing climate change. However, one member of Trump's Cabinet has been a long-time climate change believer and said that not joining conversations on the environment could have long-term effects on U.S. national security: Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Last week, ProPublica posted previously unpublished excerpts of Mattis's confirmation hearing testimony regarding his feelings on climate change, which he argued had to be front and center in matters regarding the security of the country. “Climate change is impacting stability in areas of the world where our troops are operating today,” he said. “It is appropriate for [military officials] to incorporate drivers of instability that impact the security environment in their areas into their planning.”