All hell breaking loose : the Pentagon's perspective on climate change
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages [239]-278) and index.

Drawing on previously obscure reports and government documents, renowned security expert Klare shows that the U.S. military sees the climate threat as imperiling the country on several fronts at once.

"An eye-opening examination of climate change from the perspective of the U.S. military. The Pentagon, unsentimental and politically conservative, might seem unlikely to be worried about climate change. Yet of all the major institutions in American society, none is taking climate change as seriously as the U.S. military. Both as participants in climate-triggered conflicts abroad, and as first responders to disasters on American soil, the armed services are already confronting the impacts of global warming. Indeed, the military now regards climate change as one of the top threats to American national security--and is busy developing strategies to cope with it. Drawing on internal Pentagon reports and previously obscure documents, renowned security expert Michael Klare shows that the U.S. military sees rising temperatures as a danger on several fronts at once. Droughts and food shortages are stoking conflicts in ethnically divided nations, threatening a flood of "climate refugees." Climate-related pandemics, hurricanes, and other humanitarian disasters increasingly require extensive military involvement. The melting Arctic is creating new seaways to defend. And rising seas threaten American cities and military bases themselves. Politicians may still debate the reality and causes of global warming, but the Pentagon is intensely focused on its effects. Its response makes it clear that where it counts, the immense impact of climate change is not in doubt."--Dust jacket.

None of the major institutions in American society take climate change as seriously as the U.S. military. As participants in climate-triggered conflicts abroad, and as first responders to hurricanes and other disasters on American soil, the armed services are already confronting the impacts of global warming. Drawing on previously obscure reports and government documents, Klare shows how droughts and food shortages are stoking conflicts in ethnically divided nations. Pandemics and other humanitarian disasters will increasingly require extensive military involvement. And rising seas threaten American cities and military bases themselves. -- adapted from jacket