US Military Unveils Goals for Coping with Climate Change

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addressed the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in October, unveiling a comprehensive plan for how the U.S. military hopes to address the effects of climate change.

The Pentagon’s “2014 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap” describes how the military needs to deal with rising global temperatures, increasing sea levels and intensifying weather events that will challenge global stability.

”By taking a proactive, flexible approach to assessment, analysis, and adaptation, the Defense Department will keep pace with a changing climate, minimize its impacts on our missions, and continue to protect our national security,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

“We have nearly completed a baseline survey to assess the vulnerability of our military’s more than 7,000 bases, installations, and other facilities, especially coastal installations.”

(READ the story from the LA Times or View and Download the Plan via PDF)

Photo: DOD