This week, Leon Panetta, the Director of the CIA, announced plans to open a Center on Climate Change and National Security, to examine how the changing environment will impact American national security. 

Employing a team of scientists to study rising sea levels, population shifts, and the ever intensifying competition for limited natural resources, this new center will provide expertise and support to policymakers. 

In recognizing the agency’s unique position in investigating the changing climate’s effect on the political, economic, and social stability around the world, Director Panetta remarked that, “decision makers need information and analysis on the effects climate change can have on security. The CIA is well positioned to deliver that intelligence.”

Though the CIA will be collaborating with think tanks and academics, it is taking the issue of climate change by the horns.  And by recognizing that the fight over limited resources is one that will continue to cause grave national security concerns, the CIA has taken a real leadership role in averting catastrophe.

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