Climate change and national security

It is encouraging that America is rejoining global efforts against climate change.

Despite recent harsh criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, United States President Joe Biden has already invited the duo to the climate summit scheduled for April 22-23. The invitation demonstrates the importance and urgency of cutting global carbon emissions as per the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real and will have wide-ranging consequences in many areas, including security. The effects of climate change—sea-level rise; water, food and energy scarcities; mass migration; upsurge in local and global conflicts; and pandemics—pose a significant threat to national security. This critical non-military threat with high likelihood and impact needs considerable attention and appropriate strategy to address the possible security consequences.