OPERATION FREE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2009

Contact:

David Solimini

757-876-0295

Inhofe: Alone in Denial of Climate Change-National Security Connection

Senator Disparages Judgment of Senior Retired Military

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senator James Inhofe questioned the US military’s assessment of climate change as a threat to America’s national security. Inhofe, who the Washington Post has called “the last flat-earther” on the issue of climate change, questioned the bonifides of a dozen admirals and generals who have stated that climate change makes America vulnerable and the world a more dangerous place.

In response, Operation Free Advocacy Director Jonathan Murray released the following statement.

“American’s military has identified climate change as a real and growing threat to our security. Our dependence on foreign energy makes America more vulnerable, while climate disruptions make the world a more dangerous place for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Not only is Senator Inhofe increasingly isolated, but his continued failure to recognize these threats slows our effort to protect American servicemen and women.”

In case you missed it: A Senator in a Hostile Climate. Washington Post, 10/28/09.

Relevant Facts:

• The Department of Defense has identified climate change as a ‘threat multiplier’ and plans on including the threat in the Quadrennial Defense Review, as does the State Department.  (New York Times, August 8, 2009)

• The Central Intelligence Agency has opened a Center on Climate Change and National Security. (Central Intelligence Agency, September 25, 2009)

• In 2008, a National Intelligence Assessment from the National Intelligence Council said “global climate change will have wide-ranging implications for US national security interests over the next 20 years.” (Senate Testimony of Dr. Thomas Fingar, June 28, 2008)

• Former Senator John Warner (R-VA), former Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), former CIA Director James Woolsey, Retired General Anthony Zinni, and Retired Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, General Wesley Clark, have all stated that climate change threatens our security.

Operation Free is a coalition of veterans and national security organizations dedicated to highlighting the connection between climate change and national security. Visit us online at www.OperationFree.net.

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