From the CNA Reports, “National Security and The Threat of Climate Change” and “Powering America’s Defense”
“Climate change will provide the conditions that will extend the war on terror”
- Admiral T. Joseph Lopez, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Allied Forces, Southern Europe
“We will pay for this one way or another. We will pay to reduce greenhouse has emissions today, and we’ll have to take an economic hit of some kind. Or we will pay the price later in military terms. And that will involve human lives. There will be a human toll. There is no way out of this that does not have real costs.”
- General Anthony Zinni, Former Commander-in-Chief U.S. Central Command
“Climate change is occurring at a much faster pace than the scientists previously thought it could…. Military professionals are accustomed to making decisions during times of uncertainty… Even if you don’t have complete information, you still need to take action. Waiting for 100 percent certainty during a crisis can be disastrous… The US has the responsibility to lead [on global climate change]. If we don’t make changes, then others won’t.”
- General Gordon Sullivan, Former U.S. Army Chief of Staff
“The more instability increase, the more pressure there will be to use our military. That’s the issue with climate change.
- General Robert Magnus, Former Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps
“We have less than ten years to change our fossil fuel dependency course in significant ways. Our nation’s security depends on the swift, serious, and thoughtful response to the inter-linked challenges of energy security and climate change.”
- Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, Former Deputy Chief, Naval Warfare Requirements and Programs
