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Implications for US National Security of Anticipated Climate Change
In the Intelligence Community's (IC) analysis of the possible impacts of climate change on national security over the next 20 years, the IC takes as a scientific baseline the reports produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international body responsible for assessing the science related to climate change. This memorandum does not assess effects on the homeland, nor does it evaluate the science of the IPCC reports. [...] Long-term changes in climate will produce more extreme weather events and put greater stress on critical Earth systems like oceans, freshwater, and biodiversity. These in turn will almost certainly have significant effects, both direct and indirect, across social, economic, political, and security realms during the next 20 years. These effects will be all the more pronounced as people continue to concentrate in climate-vulnerable locations, such as coastal areas, water-stressed regions, and ever-growing cities. [...]Climate change and its resulting effects are likely to pose wide-ranging national security challenges for the United States and other countries over the next 20 years through the following pathways: [1] Threats to the stability of countries. [2] Heightened social and political tensions. [3] Adverse effects on food prices and availability. [4] Increased risks to human health. [5] Negative impacts on investments and economic competitiveness. [6] Potential climate discontinuities and secondary surprises.
National Intelligence Council (U.S.); United States. Office of the Director of National Intelligence
2016-09-21
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U.S. Climate Change Science Program: Vision for the Program and Highlights of the Scientific Strategic Plan
"Climate shapes the environment, natural resources, the economy, and other aspects of life in all countries of the world. Natural and human-induced changes in climate, as well as the options suggested for adapting to or slowing changes, may have substantial environmental, economic, and societal consequences. Decisionmakers, resource managers, and other interested citizens need reliable science-based information to make informed judgments regarding policy and actions. Figure 1 illustrates some of the range and complexity of the climate system elements that must be considered in addressing short- and long-term climate change issues. In May 2001, the Administration asked the National Academy of Sciences " National Research Council (NRC) to provide an updated evaluation of key questions about climate change science. Upon receipt of the NRCs report in June 2001, the President directed the relevant agencies and departments of the federal government to build on the extensive U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) to accelerate research on the most important uncertainties in climate science, enhance climate observation systems, and improve information available to decisionmakers."
Climate Change Science Program (U.S.)
2003-07
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Climate Change: USDA's Ongoing Efforts Can Be Enhanced with Better Metrics and More Relevant Information for Farmers, Report to Ranking Member, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
"In 2012, the United States produced about $395 billion in agricultural commodities, with about half of this revenue from crop sales and half from livestock. According to the Third National Climate Assessment, climate change has the potential to negatively affect agricultural productivity in the United States through warmer temperatures and an increase in weather extremes. In recent years, USDA has taken actions to help U.S. farmers adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] was asked to review USDA's climate change efforts. This review examines (1) USDA's climate change priorities and how these align with national priorities, (2) the status of USDA's climate change efforts, and (3) the challenges USDA faces in implementing its climate efforts and the steps it has taken to overcome these challenges. To conduct this work, GAO analyzed USDA documents and data and interviewed USDA officials and other knowledgeable stakeholders, such as farmers and environmental groups."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-09-16
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US Army Corps of Engineers, Climate Change Adaptation Policy Statement [2011]
"It is the policy of USACE [US Army Corps of Engineers] to integrate climate change adaptation planning and actions into our Agency's missions, operations, programs, and projects. USACE shall continue undertaking its climate chnage adaptation planning, in consultation with internal and external experts and with our Districts, Divisions, and Centers, and shall implement the results of that planing using the best available - and actionable - climate science and climate change information. USACE shall also continue its efforts with other agencies to develop the science and engineering research on climate change information into the actionable basis for adapting its Civil Works and Military Programs missions to climate change impacts. Furthermore, USACE shall consider potential climate change impacts when undertaking long-term planning, setting priorities, and making decisions affecting its resources, programs, policies, and operations."
United States. Army. Corps of Engineers
2011
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Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment
"Climate change threatens human health and well-being in the United States. The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) Climate and Health Assessment has been developed to enhance understanding and inform decisions about this growing threat. This scientific assessment, called for under the President's Climate Action Plan, is a major report of the sustained National Climate Assessment (NCA) process. The report responds to the 1990 Congressional mandate to assist the Nation in understanding, assessing, predicting, and responding to human-induced and natural processes of global change. The agencies of the USGCRP identified human health impacts as a high-priority topic for scientific assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based, and, where possible, quantitative estimation of observed and projected climate change related health impacts in the United States. The USGCRP Climate and Health Assessment has been developed to inform public health officials, urban and disaster response planners, decision makers, and other stakeholders within and outside of government who are interested in better understanding the risks climate change presents to human health."
U.S. Global Change Research Program
2016-04
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Global Climate Change Initiative (GCCI): Budget Authority and Request, FY2010-FY2016 [February 6, 2015]
"The GCCI [Global Climate Change Initiative] is implemented through programs at three 'core' agencies: the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Most GCCI activities at USAID are implemented through the agency's bilateral development assistance programs. Many of the GCCI activities at the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury are implemented through international organizations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Least Developed Country Fund and Special Climate Change Fund, as well as multilateral financial institutions such as the Global Environment Facility, the Clean Technology Fund, and the Strategic Climate Fund. The GCCI is funded through the Administration's Executive Budget, Function 150 account, for State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. […] The Administration's FY2016 GCCI budget request is for $1,290 million, including $500 million for the recently launched United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Green Climate Fund. Congressional committees of jurisdiction over the GCCI include the U.S. House of Representatives Committees on Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, and Appropriations, and the U.S. Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations. As Congress considers potential authorizations and/or appropriations for activities administered through the GCCI, it may have questions concerning U.S. agency initiatives and current bilateral and multilateral programs that address global climate change. Some potential concerns may include cost, purpose, direction, efficiency, and effectiveness, as well as the GCCI's relationship to industry, investment, humanitarian efforts, national security, and international leadership. This report serves as a brief overview of the GCCI and its structure, intents, and funding history."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lattanzio, Richard K.
2015-02-06
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Primary Protection: Enhancing Health Care Resilience for a Changing Climate
From the Introduction: "The Health Care Climate Resilience Guide and Toolkit, delivered through the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit website (toolkit.climate.gov), has been created as an initial component of the President's Climate Action Plan. The Plan included this recommendation for actions to promote resilience in the health sector: 'The Department of Health and Human Services will launch an effort to create sustainable and resilient hospitals in the face of climate change. Through a public-private partnership with the health care industry, it will identify best practices and provide guidance on affordable mea¬sures to ensure that our medical system is resilient to climate impacts. It will also collaborate with partner agencies to share best practices among federal health facilities' (Executive Office of the President, 2013). These documents have been developed for sectors and disciplines engaged in health care facility climate resilience to assist in improving response to extreme weather events and facilitate a faster return to normal or adoption of a new normal. Climate resilience, as applied to health care, is anchored by the acute care hospital, a 'high-reliability organization' that is keenly aware of, and sensitive to, broader resilience concerns. Disruptions and losses incurred by the U.S. health care sector after recent extreme weather events strongly suggest that specific guidance on managing the new and evolving hazards presented by climate change is necessary."
United States. Department of Health and Human Services
Guenther, Robin; Balbus, John M.
2014-12
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Climate Change: Federal Efforts Under Way to Assess Water Infrastructure Vulnerabilities and Address Adaptation Challenges, Report to Congressional Requesters
"The effects of climate change on water resources have already been observed and are expected to continue. The Corps and Reclamation own and operate key water resource management infrastructure, such as dams and reservoirs. Adaptation--adjustments in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment that exploits beneficial opportunities or moderates negative effects--can be used to help manage the risks to vulnerable resources. In 2009, a law--commonly referred to as the SECURE Water Act--and a presidential executive order directed federal agencies to address the potential impacts of climate change. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review agency actions to address climate change impacts on water infrastructure. This report examines (1) actions taken by the Corps and Reclamation since 2009 to assess and respond to the potential effects of climate change on water infrastructure and (2) challenges, if any, faced by the Corps and Reclamation in assessing and responding to the potential effects of climate change on water infrastructure, and the steps the agencies are taking to address them. GAO analyzed the agencies' climate change adaptation guidance and planning documents and interviewed agency officials and other key stakeholders, including water users, environmental groups, and researchers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2013-11
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Failing to Address Climate Change Threatens the Economy
"Global temperatures are rising, and without drastic and immediate action, they will continue to rise substantially and cause significant economic harm. That is the conclusion of recent reports from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.S. Global Change Research Program's National Climate Assessment. As the earth warms, sea levels will rise, health outcomes will get worse, agriculture yields will decline, and extreme weather disasters will become more severe and more frequent. These changes will cost lives, force waves of human migration across the globe, upend insurance markets, and have dire consequences for the American economy. [...] Too much time is spent debating whether climate change is real, or humans' role in climate change. The science is clear on both of these points - climate change is a major threat to families and workers across the globe. Congress must stop kicking the can down the road and instead start taking action to mitigate the worst economic damages of climate change. The extreme weather disasters of recent years are just the beginning, and Congress is leaving American families woefully unprepared."
United States. Congress. Joint Economic Committee
2018-11
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Climate Change: Federal Funding and Tax Incentives [Updated August 2, 2007]
"As the prospect of climate change induced by greenhouse gases has gained increased attention, U.S. federal funding to address this issue has expanded from a few million dollars per year in the 1970s to $5.44 billion in FY2007. The rise in funding is primarily attributed to the evolution of the federal effort-from scientific research in the early years to later inclusion of technology development, voluntary and regulatory programs, and international assistance. However, the accounting of activities related to climate change also has changed somewhat over the years, introducing some uncertainty in the degree to which funding has actually increased over time. The President's FY2008 budget request includes $5.95 billion for federal programs and activities identified as addressing climate change, a 9.4% increase above FY2007. In addition to this funding, certain tax incentives may encourage reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Tax incentives are not spending per se, but they do result in less revenue than would be accrued otherwise, and as such, are costs to the federal government referred to as 'tax expenditures.' The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) estimates climate change tax expenditures would total $1.42 billion in FY2008, an 18% decrease below expenditures of $1.73 billion in FY2007. The President's strategy on climate change is directed by the Cabinet-level Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration. This strategy places management responsibility and accountability for the various programs in individual agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Leggett, Jane A.
2007-08-02
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Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment: Highlights
"This book presents the major findings and selected highlights from 'Climate Change Impacts in the United States,' the third National Climate Assessment. This 'Highlights' report is organized around the National Climate Assessment's 12 Report Findings, which take an overarching view of the entire report and its 30 chapters. All material in the 'Highlights' report is drawn from the full report. The Key Messages from each of the 30 report chapters appear in boxes throughout this document. In the lower left corner of each section, icons identify which chapters of the full report were drawn upon for that section. A key to these icons appears on page 1."
U.S. Global Change Research Program; United States. Government Printing Office
Melillo, Jerry M.; Richmond, Terese (T.C.); Yohe, Gary Wynn, 1948-
2014
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Climate and Health Intervention Assessment: Evidence on Public Health Interventions to Prevent the Negative Health Effects of Climate Change
"This guide outlines the findings of the Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Midwest/Southeast Collaborative on the evidence of effectiveness of various interventions for reducing the negative health impacts of climate change. This is not intended to be a comprehensive guide of all potential interventions; rather it outlines the evidence found for certain interventions as part of the Midwest/Southeast Collaborative's review of the literature. The findings in this document highlight a subset of potential interventions for select potential climate-related health impacts. It is intended as a general guide, and health departments are encouraged to seek out additional literature and consult with subject matter experts before implementing interventions."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Environmental Health (U.S.)
Anderson, Henry; Brown, Claudia; Cameron, Lorraine L. . . .
2017
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U.S. National Climate Assessment: Climate Change Impacts in the United States
"This report assesses the science of climate change and its impacts across the United States, now and throughout this century. It integrates findings of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) with the results of research and observations from across the U.S. and around the world, including reports from the U.S. National Research Council. This report documents climate change related impacts and responses for various sectors and regions, with the goal of better informing public and private decision-making at all levels."
U.S. Global Change Research Program
2014-05
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Joint Statement by President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands on Climate Change and Financing the Transition to Low-Carbon Investments Abroad, March 24, 2014
"The Netherlands and the United States share a common interest in urgent action to address global climate change. We affirm the importance of reaching a global climate change agreement in 2015 that can attract broad and ambitious participation. The agreement should reflect the continuous evolution of capabilities of countries in tackling this global challenge. It should also take account of the important role played by the private sector, sub-national actors, and civil society in finding solutions to addressing carbon pollution while improving the resilience of nations to the impacts of climate change. Our two countries pledge to continue our cooperation towards adopting such an agreement at the United Nations climate conference in Paris in 2015. We reaffirm our support of internationally agreed commitments to scale up the mobilization of climate finance and recognize that different forms of financing are needed to support countries making the transition to a low-emission, climate resilient economy. We strive to deploy public resources to catalyze private climate finance in and to developing countries. We emphasize that our work to scale up climate friendly investments in developing countries is most effective when combined with reducing public incentives for high-carbon infrastructure. To this end, the Netherlands is joining the United States, the United Kingdom, and others in agreeing to end support for public financing of new coal-fired power plants abroad except in rare circumstances."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Obama, Barack
2014-03-24
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Climate Change: State Should Further Improve Its Reporting on Financial Support to Developing Countries to Meet Future Requirements and Guidelines, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate
"In 2009, the United States and other developed nations pledged to contribute funding approaching $30 billion in new and additional assistance between 2010 and 2012 for developing countries to address climate change. This type of assistance is called 'climate finance' and funding for this period is known as 'fast-start finance.' The pledge was made under the Framework Convention, a treaty that seeks to address climate change. State is the lead agency responsible for reporting the United States' FSF [Fast-Start Finance] contributions between 2010 and 2012 and plans to continue reporting on U.S. climate finance in the future. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review climate finance. This report examines (1) the extent to which the United States contributed to FSF, (2) how State collected and reported U.S. FSF data, and (3) what is known about the effectiveness of U.S. FSF activities. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed FSF data, interviewed agency officials, and visited three countries receiving significant FSF assistance in three regions. […] To ensure the United States meets future climate finance reporting requirements and guidelines under the Framework Convention, GAO recommends that State determine how it will collect and report climate finance information and review current capabilities for meeting the requirements and guidelines. GAO also recommends that State, in consultation with USAID [United States Agency for International Development], consider providing a budget code to improve tracking of climate change assistance. State agreed with GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2013-09
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Examining the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Process, Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, May 29, 2014
This testimony compilation is from the May 29, 2014 hearing on "Examining the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Process" held before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. From the opening statement of Lamar Smith: "The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released three working group reports on climate science -- focused on physical sciences, impacts and adaptation, and mitigation. These documents make up the Fifth Assessment Report. Similarly, the White House recently rolled out its National Climate Assessment, which takes a closer look at climate change and policy in the U.S. Both the IPCC and the White House's documents appear to be designed to spread fear and alarm and provide cover for previously determined government policies. The reports give the Obama Administration an excuse to control more of the lives of the American people. The IPCC's goal is an international climate treaty that redistributes wealth among nations. The Administration's goal is to impose greenhouse gas regulations, which will stifle economic growth and lead to hundreds of thousands of fewer jobs each year. On the heels of these catastrophic predictions, the President plans to announce next Monday his most costly climate regulations -- new climate standards for power plants." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Richard S.J. Tol, Michael Oppenheimer, Daniel Botkin, and Roger Pielke, Sr.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (2011-)
2014-05-29
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Global Climate Change [Updated January 30, 2002]
"There is concern that human activities are affecting the heat/energy-exchange balance between Earth, the atmosphere, and space, and inducing global climate change, often termed 'global warming.' Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and other trace greenhouse gases. If these gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere at current rates, most scientists believe global warming would occur through intensification of Earth's natural heat-trapping 'greenhouse effect.' Possible impacts might be seen as both positive and negative. A warmer climate would probably have far reaching effects on agriculture and forestry, managed and un-managed ecosystems, including natural habitats, human health, water resources, and sea level depending on climate responses. Although causal relationships between projected long-range global climate trends and record-setting warmth and severe weather events of the past two decades have not been firmly established, attention has been focused on possible extremes of climate change and the need for better understanding of climate processes to improve climate model forecasts. The basic policy question remains: Given scientific uncertainties about the magnitude, timing, rate, and regional consequences of potential climatic change, what are the appropriate responses for U.S. and world decisionmakers? Fossil-fuel combustion is the primary source of CO2 emissions, and also emits other 'greenhouse' gases. Because the U.S. economy is so dependent upon energy, and so much of U.S. energy is derived from fossil fuels, reducing these emissions poses major challenges and controversy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fletcher, Susan R.; Justus, John R.
2002-01-30
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Global Climate Change [Updated October 29, 2004]
"There is concern that human activities are affecting the heat/energy-exchange balance between Earth, the atmosphere, and space, and inducing global climate change, often termed 'global warming.' Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and other trace greenhouse gases. If these gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere at current rates, most scientists believe global warming would occur through intensification of Earth's natural heat-trapping 'greenhouse effect.' Possible impacts might be seen as both positive and negative, depending on regional or national variations. A warmer climate would probably have far-reaching effects on agriculture and forestry, managed and unmanaged ecosystems, including natural habitats, human health, water resources, and sea level, depending on climate responses. Although causal relationships between projected long-range global climate trends and record-setting warmth and severe weather events of the past two decades have not been firmly established, attention has been focused on possible extremes of climate change and the need for better understanding of climate processes to improve climate model forecasts. The basic policy question remains: Given scientific uncertainties about the magnitude, timing, rate, and regional consequences of potential climatic change, what are the appropriate responses for U.S. and world decision makers? Fossil-fuel combustion is the primary source of CO2 emissions, and also emits other 'greenhouse' gases. Because the U.S. economy is so dependent upon energy, and so much of U.S. energy is derived from fossil fuels, reducing these emissions poses major challenges and controversy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fletcher, Susan R.; Justus, John R.
2004-10-29
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Global Climate Change [Updated March 27, 2002]
"There is concern that human activities are affecting the heat/energy-exchange balance between Earth, the atmosphere, and space, and inducing global climate change, often termed 'global warming.' Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and other trace greenhouse gases. If these gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere at current rates, most scientists believe global warming would occur through intensification of Earth's natural heat-trapping 'greenhouse effect.' Possible impacts might be seen as both positive and negative. A warmer climate would probably have far reaching effects on agriculture and forestry, managed and un-managed ecosystems, including natural habitats, human health, water resources, and sea level depending on climate responses. Although causal relationships between projected long-range global climate trends and record-setting warmth and severe weather events of the past two decades have not been firmly established, attention has been focused on possible extremes of climate change and the need for better understanding of climate processes to improve climate model forecasts. The basic policy question remains: Given scientific uncertainties about the magnitude, timing, rate, and regional consequences of potential climatic change, what are the appropriate responses for U.S. and world decisionmakers? Fossil-fuel combustion is the primary source of CO2 emissions, and also emits other 'greenhouse' gases. Because the U.S. economy is so dependent upon energy, and so much of U.S. energy is derived from fossil fuels, reducing these emissions poses major challenges and controversy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Justus, John R.; Fletcher, Susan R.
2002-03-27
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Global Climate Change [Updated September 26, 2001]
"There is concern that human activities are affecting the heat/energy-exchange balance between Earth, the atmosphere, and space, and inducing global climate change, often termed 'global warming.' Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and other trace greenhouse gases. If these gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere at current rates, most scientists believe global warming would occur through intensification of Earth's natural heat-trapping 'greenhouse effect.' Possible impacts might be seen as both positive and negative. A warmer climate would probably have far reaching effects on agriculture and forestry, managed and un-managed ecosystems, including natural habitats, human health, water resources, and sea level depending on climate responses. Although causal relationships between projected long-range global climate trends and record-setting warmth and severe weather events of the past two decades have not been firmly established, attention has been focused on possible extremes of climate change and the need for better understanding of climate processes to improve climate model forecasts. The basic policy question is: Given scientific uncertainties about the magnitude, timing, rate, and regional consequences of potential climatic change, what are the appropriate responses for U.S. and world decisionmakers?"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Justus, John R.; Fletcher, Susan R.
2001-09-26
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Climate Change and Water Resources Management: A Federal Perspective
"Many challenges, including climate change, face the Nation's water managers. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has provided estimates of how climate may change, but more understanding of the processes driving the changes, the sequences of the changes, and the manifestation of these global changes at different scales could be beneficial. Since the changes will likely affect fundamental drivers of the hydrological cycle, climate change may have a large impact on water resources and water resources managers. The purpose of this interagency report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is to explore strategies to improve water management by tracking, anticipating, and responding to climate change."
United States. Bureau of Reclamation; Geological Survey (U.S.); United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . . .
Olsen, J. Rolf; Kiang, Julie E.; Brekke, Levi D.
2009
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Effects of Climate Change on Federal Hydropower: Report to Congress August 2013
From the Executive Summary: "As directed by Congress in Section 9505 of the SECURE Water Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in consultation with the federal Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) and other federal agencies, has prepared a comprehensive assessment examining the potential effects of climate change on water available for hydropower generation at federal facilities and on the marketing of that power. [...] The 9505 Assessment, [...] included: 1) a historical analysis of the sensitivity of federal hydropower operations to climate variables, 2) a climate modeling analysis that projected climate conditions and impacts to hydropower into the future, and 3) a literature review of other related climate studies for comparison to the 9505 modeling results. [...] The 9505 Assessment gives federal hydropower administrators the opportunity to plan their operational or contracting responses to these changes. Recommendations from the PMA administrators on how they can respond to the effects of climate change are included as part of this Report to Congress. The future assessments that are required every five years under Section 9505 can be improved by incorporating improved climate models and data that will become available soon, closer examination of extreme events and longer-term change in more detail, and addressing the interactions among hydropower and other water uses."
United States. Department of Energy
2013-08
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Approach for Assessing Human Health Vulnerability and Public Health Interventions to Adapt to Climate Change
"Assessments of the potential human health impacts of climate change are needed to inform the development of adaptation strategies, policies, and measures to lessen projected adverse impacts. For this paper, the authors developed methods for country-level assessments to help policy makers make evidence-based decisions to increase resilience to current and future climates, and to provide information for national communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The steps in an assessment should include the following: a) determine the scope of the assessment; b) describe the current distribution and burden of climate-sensitive health determinants and outcomes; c) identify and describe current strategies, policies, and measures designed to reduce the burden of climate-sensitive health determinants and outcomes; d) review the health implications of the potential impacts of climate variability and change in other sectors; e) estimate the future potential health impacts using scenarios of future changes in climate, socioeconomic, and other factors; f) synthesize the results; and g) identify additional adaptation policies and measures to reduce potential negative health impacts. Key issues for ensuring that an assessment is informative, timely, and useful include stakeholder involvement, an adequate management structure, and a communication strategy."
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
2006-12
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Climate Change: Improvements Needed to Clarify National Priorities and Better Align Them with Federal Funding Decisions, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives
"Climate change poses risks to many environmental and economic systems, including agriculture, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Federal law has periodically required the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to report on federal climate change funding. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to examine (1) federal funding for climate change activities and how these activities are organized; (2) the extent to which methods for defining and reporting climate change funding are interpreted consistently across the federal government; (3) federal climate change strategic priorities, and the extent to which funding is aligned with these priorities; and (4) what options, if any, are available to better align federal climate change funding with strategic priorities. GAO analyzed OMB funding reports and responses to a Web-based questionnaire sent to federal officials, reviewed available literature, and interviewed stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05
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Hearing on the Costs of Climate Change: from Coasts to Heartland, Health to Security, Hearing Before the Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, Hearing Held in Washington, D.C., July 24, 2019
This is the July 24, 2019 hearing on "Costs of Climate Change: from Coasts to Heartland, Health to Security" held before the U.S. House Committee on the Budget. From the opening statement of John A. Yarmuth: "Today we will hear from experts on the looming threat of climate change to our coastal communities, agricultural economies, public health, and national security, and the implications for the federal budget. The devastating effects of climate change are already upon us. Families have lost their homes to record storms and raging wildfires, and lost loved ones to sicknesses stemming from heat waves and degraded air quality. Our farmers are grappling with changing growing seasons and declining crop yields, while approximately half of all U.S. military sites and two-thirds of the most critical installations are threatened by climate change. Without serious action, climate-related federal spending will continue to rise, and American families will not only have to grapple with the effects of climate change, they will have to foot the bill for the spiraling costs." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ann Phillips, Stefani Grant, Georges Benjamin, David Titley, and Rich Powell.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019
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Climate Change and Poor Water Resource Management Will Have Serious Security Implications in the Balkan Peninsula
From the thesis abstract: "Climate Change is not a new or surprising event, but it has a significant impact human civilization. Our future depends on our ability to predict and mitigate the impact and threats created by climate change. The effects will influence all of us. Climate change is a threat multiplier and puts every nation at risk. The aim of this paper is to define the security threats for the Balkan Peninsula caused by climate change and poor water resource management. This research focuses on surface rather than groundwater and specifically explores the Maritza and Tundja Rivers which form the border area between Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. The paper details how poor water management in these rivers will create security threats. Using the mixed methodology to analyze the collected data, the results of the research show that climate change and population growth will strain the environment of the Balkan Peninsula, and it will be followed by resource crises. The biggest threat is water scarcity. Reduced water resources will create a tremendous impact on the three countries, their economies and societies will react to the stress. It is government's responsibility to avoid the conflict. The only peaceful solution is to establish a combined center for climate change and to work together for the good of the three nations."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Delev, Kosta
2015-06
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Implications of Climate Change for the U.S. Army
From the Executive Summary: "Current conversations about climate change and its impacts are often rancorous and politically charged. As an organization that is, by law, non-partisan, the Department of Defense (DoD) is precariously unprepared for the national security implications of climate change-induced global security challenges. This study examines the implications of climate change for the United States Army. This includes national security challenges associated with or worsened by climate change, and organizational challenges arising from climate change-related issues in the domestic environment. Given that, the study's starting point is the implications of climate change for the U.S. Army, and the Army is therefore the focus of the analysis and recommendations. That said, much of the analysis involves DoD and other elements of the government, and most of the Army-specific recommendations have parallels that apply to other military services."
Army War College (U.S.)
Hill, Andrew A.; Jahn, Molly; Thomas, Nicole . . .
2019-07?
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Assessing the Homeland Security Impacts of a Changing Climate, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, April 9, 2019
This is the April 9, 2019 hearing titled "Assessing the Homeland Security Impacts of a Changing Climate," held before the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Donald M. Payne, Jr.: "The last time this committee held a noticed activity on climate change, it was in 2015 when the Republicans held a hearing entitled 'Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on Climate Change.' Let me be clear: Climate change is here, it is happening, and the scientific evidence is there, and it is a threat to our security. If continued unchecked, the effects of climate change will have a devastating impact on nearly every aspect of American life. Scientists from all over the world are clear: If we do not start taking steps to address this issue, it will soon be too late. As climate change continues to make extreme weather events worse, our critical infrastructure will be at risk of failing--a terrifying prospect for our homeland security." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Astrid Caldas, Timothy Manning, Kristie Trousdale, and Dan Eggleston.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019
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National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change
"Climate change poses significant challenges to water resources and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Water Program (NWP). The NWP 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change addresses climate change in the context of our water programs. It emphasizes assessing and managing risk and incorporating adaptation into core programs. Many of the programs and activities already underway throughout the NWP-such as protecting healthy watersheds and wetlands; managing stormwater with green infrastructure; and improving the efficiency and sustainability of water infrastructure, including promoting energy and water efficiency, reducing pollutants, and protecting drinking water and public health-are even more important to do in light of climate change. However, climate change poses such significant challenges to the nation's water resources that more transformative approaches will be necessary. These include critical reflection on programmatic assumptions and development and implementation of plans to address climate change's challenges."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2012-12
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Highlights of Progress: 2012: Report on the Implementation of the 'National Action Plan: Priorities for Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate'
"In October 2011, the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force published a 'National Action Plan' providing an overview of the challenges that a changing climate presents for the management of the Nation's freshwater resources and recommending actions for Federal agencies to support water resource managers in understanding and reducing the risks of climate change. During 2012, Federal agency members of the Task Force have worked to implement the actions called for in the National Action Plan. This 'Highlights of Progress: 2012' document summarizes the progress agencies have made in implementing the 'National Action Plan' between January 2012 and January 2013. The 'National Action Plan' was developed in response to a recommendation in the October 2010 'Progress Report' of the Interagency Climate Change and Adaptation Task Force. It was developed for the Task Force by an Interagency Climate Change and Water Resources Workgroup made up of representatives from Federal agencies involved in water resources science and management. The Workgroup, which is co-chaired by the Department of Interior (DOI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), prepared this 'Highlights of Progress: 2012' document to provide an annual report to the public concerning progress in addressing this important topic (see Supporting Action #1; page 16 of the 'National Action Plan'). Six recommendations to improve water resources management in a changing climate are presented in the 'National Action Plan.'"
United States. Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
2013-03
