The connection between climate change and national security is not new, but has been steadily rising in public attention in recent years. The human impact of climate change on security can increase violence, worsen existing threats, and make it more difficult to live in peace. These threats can have an impact on everything from the economic stability of countries to their health.
National security is not the only concern of climate change, but it has been a topic of constant discussion in national security policy guidelines since 1991. This guidance highlights drought and flooding, rising sea levels, and the possibility of heat waves. As an example, the Air Force chief has cited the conflict in Syria to illustrate the effect of climate change.
Climate change has had a major impact on agricultural production. In tropical areas, crops are unable to withstand the heat and dry conditions. In the next 20 years, crop yields are likely to drop by 20-50%. This will cause food shortages and increase hunger. In addition, frequent weather events can cause business interruptions and property damages. This also increases the need to provide humanitarian aid.
Adaptation strategies are essential to combat the threat from climate change. However, the United States has not been able to convince other nations that they need to address climate change. In addition, wealthy nations will need to lead by cutting emissions far beyond current promises. The hardest hit will be the developing nations.
The Center for a New American Security's Military Advisory Board (CNA) has released a new report that identifies the impact 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.
The report gives the example of an African region that may experience a decrease in water and food availability, which could result in more severe, more costly, and more frequent disasters. Meanwhile, a more frequent and pronounced heat wave will increase the risks of infectious diseases. The Arctic Ocean will be affected by climate change, which will increase the competition for resources. Climate change will ultimately lead to tens to millions of people being displaced by 2050.
These and other future threats are the responsibility of the military. This context highlights the danger of over-emphasizing climate change as an imminent national security threat. It also risks undervaluing the multidisciplinary nature of adaptation solutions. That is, it could be more prudent to focus on developing international assistance instead of substituting military solutions.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 60 percent Americans consider climate change a major threat. Although Republicans tend to believe that human activity is the main cause of climate change, Democrats are more likely to point to local impacts.
FAQ
Climate change: What is it and how can it happen?
Climate change is the long term shift in global weather patterns resulting from an increase of greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat, causing global temperatures to rise which leads to an array of changes in weather and climate. This could lead to rising sea levels, melting glaciers and extreme storms and dry spells, widespread coral reef bleaching, and the extinction of species.
Climate change is caused primarily by human activity. These include burning fossil fuels, transporting electricity, cutting down trees, and farming livestock. These activities emit large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into our atmosphere, which causes the planet to heat up faster than natural processes such as volcanic eruptions.
A large part of the global greenhouse gases emissions is also caused by deforestation. Trees are destroyed or burned to release their carbon dioxide. Furthermore, forests act like a natural carbon sink and remove CO2 from air. Without this absorption capacity carbon dioxide levels will continue rising with devastating consequences to ecosystems all over the world.
The release of CO2 into the atmosphere is not the only effect of human-caused polluting. Other harmful gasses like methane, CH4, and nitrous dioxide (N2O), are also emitted by humans. Methane has been extensively employed in industrial processes. It contributes significantly to the atmosphere's warming. While N2O can be emitted primarily by agricultural soil management activities, such as tilling or fertilization which release excess nitrogen to soil.
To minimize climate change humanity must make concerted efforts across social, economic, and political institutions to reduce these emissions drastically and transition away from our dependence on fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources such as solar, wind power, or low-carbon hydrogen fuels. Smart solutions that encourage zero-waste living and replace polluting fossil fuels could help reduce atmospheric pollution and heat buildup. Reforestation projects, which are powerful aid in the fight against climate change by absorbing large quantities of CO2 back into nature and maintaining biodiversity, can help us take responsibility for our environmental impact.
What is the status of international efforts to tackle climate change?
The international effort to tackle climate change has reached a new level of unity and momentum. Countries around the world are increasingly collaborating on ways to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience against impacts, and invest in renewable energy sources.
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. Additionally, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is providing political guidance and piloting new initiatives such as carbon market mechanisms.
There are also progresses in certain regions. For example, the European Green Deal, a comprehensive package aimed at recreating Europe’s economy with sustainability at the core, and the African Renewable Energy Initiative, which targets increasing Africa's share in global renewable energy production, is being implemented.
In addition to policy developments, action can be seen across sectors and industries; cities are actively transitioning toward sustainable public transport systems while society as a whole is embracing more sustainable lifestyles; companies are innovating technologies that drive down emissions while investors are reallocating their capital away from fossil fuels towards renewables.
Through the Common Reporting Framework (CFR), the 2021 Guidelines, the rich countries that are members of the OECD committee have agreed to common standards for reporting their national climate change actions.
All these efforts are a sign of the unprecedented importance given to 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 is the role of individual and community members in addressing climate changes?
Climate change is one of the biggest contemporary challenges we face today. This issue affects everyone. It requires both our collective attention and individual action to make a positive difference.
Individuals have a crucial role in helping to address climate change and reduce its effects. You can make changes to your daily life, including reducing waste and eating consciously. They can also get involved in political advocacy to promote sustainability-related initiatives in their community.
The key to addressing climate change at a larger scale is also the role of communities. They can adopt policies that reduce emissions. These include reformulating energy models that are based on renewable sources, encouraging efficient infrastructure for bicycle or electric transport, reducing deforestation and encouraging composting systems for waste disposal. Collaboration is crucial for the achievement of this mission.
This will help individuals become aware of the issues at stake and understand how to contribute positively to tackling them. This will enable individuals to become more aware of the issues and better understand how we are connected with other societies that are similarly affected by global warming.
Employers are ultimately responsible for fighting climate change. They can introduce corporate practices that emphasize sustainability and choose green alternatives whenever they are possible. This will have positive sociological and economic outcomes.
Thus, individual actions as well as community policies combined with business transformation will greatly contribute to the creation of solutions for global warming and collectively protecting humanity from longer-term harmful effects from climate change.
Statistics
- The 10 countries with the largest emissions contribute 68 percent. (un.org)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- Fossil fuel production must decline by roughly 6 percent per year between 2020 and 2030. (un.org)
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (un.org)
- 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)
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How To
How to make Your Home more Energy-Efficient and Reduce Climate Change
You can make your home more efficient and reduce your carbon footprint. It will also save you money on your utility bills.
Start by ensuring your home is properly insulated and sealed. Make sure windows and doors are correctly fitted, look for drafts around pipes and vents, add weather stripping where necessary, and fill any gaps around window frames or door frames with caulking.
To maximize energy efficiency, insulate your ceilings, walls, and floors. Check for air leaks in the attic or other areas of your home that are not well-insulated.
Lighting can account up to 18% for household electricity consumption. Switch to LED light bulbs to save up to 80 percent over traditional incandescent bulbs. By installing motion sensors or timers, you can save even more money by turning off lights when not required.
Replacing an old boiler or furnace can dramatically reduce energy bills as newer models are much more efficient. Consider getting a programmable thermostat that allows you to set temperatures based on when people are home or away from the house.
You can replace all your windows with double-glazed windows that offer better insulation and heat resistance. Low-flow showerheads, which are low in water consumption, can be bought. They maintain an adequate pressure level and reduce water usage.
Replace appliances with ENERGY STAR rated products since they use up to 50 % less power than non-certified models. Make sure to take care of the little details, such as unplugging TV boxes and phone chargers when not in use. This could help save you significant energy.
These steps can make living at home easier and less stressful.