National Security Perspectives on Addressing Instabilities Arising from Climate Change Impacts on the Environment

Abstract

Societal stability and the security of peoples can be threatened in subtle, complex, and profound ways by the effects of global climate change on the environment. Stresses due to climate change on the quality, quantity, and distribution of environmental resources accessible by nations and regional communities often multiply security threats. Active security concerns can become heightened in these conditions. New security issues have potential to emerge with mobilization of new or latent stressors. Contemplating science-based, plausible climate change futures that have potential for impact provides context for anticipating environmental security tipping points. Examination of historical environmental security risk analogs facilitates synthesis of knowledge for adapting to climate changes in ways that maintain and restore global environmental security conditions. National security agencies of governments equipped with this knowledge increase their potential to effectively identify, prepare, and apply measures to address climate change environmental issues on a timely basis to save lives, conserve natural resources, reduce international tensions, and build global trust.