Climate and Security Resources
This page includes a list of resources on the nexus of climate change and security. We have organized the resources first by type (U.S. government, other governments, international institutions, academic, think tank, NGO) and second by chronology.
U.S. government
Defense
2013: Department of Defense FY 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap: Department of Defense
2011-2012: Key Strategic Issues List: U.S. Army War College
2011: Incorporating Sea Level Change Considerations in Civil Works Programs: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
2011: Defense Science Board Task Force Report: Trends and Implications of Climate Change for National and International Security: Department of Defense
2011: The National Military Strategy of the United States of America: Redefining America’s Military Leadership: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2011: National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces: Naval Studies Board, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences
2010: Quadrennial Defense Review Report: Department of Defense
2010: The Joint Operating Environment, Ready for Today, Preparing for Tomorrow: United States Joint Forces Command
2010: Climate Change Impacts and AFRICOM: A Briefing Note: Institute for Defense Analyses, Christine Youngblut
2010: U.S. Navy Climate Change Road Map: Task Force Climate Change, Department of the Navy
2009: Climate Change Effects: Issues for International and US National Security: Institute for Defense Analyses, Christine Youngblut
2008: National Defense Strategy: Department of Defense
2007: The Joint Operating Environment, Trends and Challenges for the Future Joint Force Through 2030: United States Joint Forces Command
2007: National Security and the Threat of Climate Change: Center for Naval Analysis
2003: An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security: Pentagon Office of Net Assessments
Intelligence
2013: Director of National Intelligence: “Statement for the Record, Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence”
2013: Director of National Intelligence: “Remarks as delivered by James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, Worldwide Threat Assessment to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence”
2012: National Intelligence Council: “Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds”
2012: National Research Council: “Climate and Social Stress: Implications for Security Analysis,” commissioned by the Central Intelligence Agency
2012: DNI Intelligence Community Assessment, “Global Water Security”
2011: DNI Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community
2010: DNI Annual Threat Assessment of the Intelligence Community
2009: DNI Annual Threat Assessment of the Intelligence Community
2009: National Intelligence Council: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030. Commissioned Research and Conference Reports
- China: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030 (NIC-2009-02D)
- India: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030 (NIC-2009-03D)
- Russia: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030 (NIC-2009-04D)
- Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030 (NIC-2009-06D)
- North Africa: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030 (NIC-2009-07D)
- Mexico, The Caribbean, and Central America: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030 (NIC-2009-11D)
White House and Interagency
2013: National Strategy for the Arctic Region, the White House
2013: Letter to the President on addressing climate change, President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)
2011: Progress Report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
2011: Federal Agency Climate Change Adaptation Planning Support Document
2010: National Security Strategy
2010: Progress Report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
2009: Executive Order 13514: Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance
2009: National Security Presidential Directive NSPD — 66; Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD — 25, Arctic Region Policy
2005: National Security Policy Directive 44
National Academy of Sciences
2012: Climate and Social Stress: Implications for Security Analysis
2012: Himalayan Glaciers: Climate Change, Water Resources and Water Security
Development
2011: Climate Threats, Fragility, and Conflict Risk. Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation, Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance. Presentation, Woodrow Wilson Center
Government Accountability Office
2013: High-Risk Series: An Update
Congress
2013: Testimony of Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III to the Senate Armed Services Committee in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2014 and the Future Years Defense Program, pg. 10-11
2013: Director of National Intelligence: “Statement for the Record, Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence”
2013: Director of National Intelligence: “Remarks as delivered by James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, Worldwide Threat Assessment to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence”
2009: Climate Change and Global Security: Challenges, Threats and Diplomatic Opportunities, U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
2009: Climate Change and National Security, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
2009: House Committee on Foreign Affairs, “Climate Change and the Arctic: New Frontiers of National Security.” Testimony from Dr. Scott Borgerson, Dr. Robert Corell, and Mr. Mead Treadwell.
2009: Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, “The Climate Crisis: National Security, Public Health, and Economic Threats.” Testimony from Professor Daniel Schrag, and Dr. Patrick Michaels.
2009: House Committee on Energy and Commerce, “The Climate Crisis: National Security, Public Health, and Economic Threats.” Testimony from Dr. Frank Ackerman, Dr. Kristie Ebi, Gen. Gordon Sullivan, Prof. Daniel Schrag, Dr. Patrick J. Michaels, and R. James Woolsey.
2008: Joint Hearing of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management and House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, “National Security Implications of Global Climate Change.” U.S. House of Representatives. Testimony from Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett, Dr. Kent Hughes Butts, Dr. Thomas Fingar, Paul G. Gaffney II, Lee Lane, Marlo Lewis.
2007: Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, “Oil Shock: Potential for Crisis.” Testimony from Carol P. Browner and Admiral Dennis Blair USN (Ret.).
2007: House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, “The national security implications of climate change,” General Gordon R. Sullivan, USA Ret., Mr. R. James Woolsey (attachment), Dr. Kent H. Butts, Dr. Alexander Lennon, Dr. Andrew Price-Smith.
2007: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, “Climate Change: National Security Threats.” Hearing. 110th Congress, 1st session. Witnesses include Admiral Joseph W. Prueher, General Charles F. Wald, and Vice Admiral Richard H. Truly.
2007: Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, “Geopolitical Implications of Rising Oil Dependence and Global Warming.” Testimony from Ambassador Richard Haass, Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn USN (Ret.), Carl Pope, General Gordon R. Sullivan USA (Ret.), and James Woolsey.
2006: Congressional Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, “Energy as a Weapon: Implications for U.S. Security.” Testimony from Gleick, The Implications of Global Climate Changes for International Security.
Other governments
2013: Australian Government: Strong and Secure – A Strategy for Australia’s National Security.
2012: European Commission: Climate Change, Hydro-conflicts and Human Security (CLICO), Working Paper
2012: UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA)
2010: UK Strategic Defense and Security Review: Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty
2010: FOI Swedish Defense Research Agency: On Connecting Climate Change with Security and Armed Conflict
2008: The National Security Strategy of the United Kingdom: Security in an interdependent world
2008: European Commission: The European Union and the Arctic Region
2008: High Representative and European Commission to the European Council: Climate change and international security, “Joint Paper to the European Council.”
2008: High Representative and European Council: Review on the Implementation of the European Security Strategy: Providing Security in a Changing World
2008: EU High Representative, Climate Change and Security: Follow-up recommendations by EUHR Solana
2007: EU Council: Council Conclusions June
2007: German Advisory Council on Global Change: World in Transition. Climate Change as a Security Risk. (20MB)
2007: FOI Swedish Defense Research Agency, The Geopolitics of Climate Change. Stockholm
2005: The Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change. Stern, Nicholas. Cambridge University Press, report commissioned by the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer
2002: German Ministry for the Environment 2002: Climate Change and Conflict.
International institutions
2012: G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting Chair’s Statement, pg. 10
2011: Livelihood Security: Climate Change, Migration and Conflict in the Sahel, UNEP
2011: Statement by the President of the Security Council, UNSC
2010: Mapping the Resilience of International River Basins to Future Climate Change-Induced Water Variability, World Bank
2009: UN General Assembly: Resolution on climate change and its possible security implications (A/63/281)
2007: Security Council Debate on climate change as threat to international peace and security
2005: UNISDR: Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
Academic, Think tank and NGO
2013: Thirty-Eight Leading U.S. National Security Experts Urge Action on International Climate Change Initiatives. Partnership for a Secure America
2013: Underpinning the MENA Democratic Transition: Delivering Climate, Energy and Resource Security. E3G
2012: Protecting Americans in the 21st Century: Communicating Priorities for 2012 and Beyond. National Homeland Security Consortium.
2012: High Tide on Main Street. Rising Sea Level and the Coming Coastal Crisis. Englander, John.
2012: Climate Security Report. Holland, A. and Wang, Y. American Security Project.
2012: Climate Change & International Security: The Arctic as a Bellwether. Huebert, R. et al., Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
2012: Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict in Northwest Africa Rising Dangers and Policy Options Across the Arc of Tension. Werz, M. and Conley, L. Center for American Progress and Heinrich Böll Stiftung
2012: Cooperation from Strength: The United States, China and the South China Sea. Cronin, P. et al., Center for a New American Security (CNAS)
2012: A New Security Architecture for the Arctic: An American Perspective, Conley, H. et al., Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
2012: Climate Change in UK security policy: implications for development assistance? Harris, K. Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
2012: Special Issue: Climate Change and Conflict. Journal of Peace Research.
2012: Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict, Werz, Conley, Center for American Progress and Heinrich Böll Stiftung
2011: Climate Security Vulnerability in Africa. Busby, J. Presentation, Woodrow Wilson Center
2011: Transatlantic Dialogue on Climate Change and Security: Final Report. Holland, A. London: International Institute for Strategic Studies
2011: Conflicts Associated with the Global Climate. Hsiang, Meng & Cane. Presentation, Woodrow Wilson Center
2011: Can Political Institutions Avert Violence from Climate Change? Research Brief – August 2011. Kuperman, A. Austin, Tx: Strauss Center CCAPS
2011: Degrees of Risk: Defining a Risk Management Framework for Climate Security. Mabey, N. et al. E3G
2010: Climate Change and Mediterranean Security. Brauch, H.-G., Barcelona: IEMed.
2010: Locating Climate Insecurity: Where Are the Most Vulnerable Places in Africa? Busby, J. et al. Austin, Texas: The Robert S. Strauss Center.
2010: Mapping Climate Change and Security in North Africa. Busby, J. et al. Washington, DC: GMF.
2010: Climate change and conflict: Working Paper. A framework for analysis and action. Campbell, I. London: Saferworld.
2010: Climate change and conflict: Lessons from community conservancies in northern Kenya. Conflict Development Center, IISD and Saferworld. Nairobi, Winnipeg and London.
2010: Climate-Related Impacts on National Security in Mexico and Central America. Feakin, T. and Depledge, D. Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
2010: Climate Security: Impacts and Opportunities for Transatlantic Relations. Feakin, T. and Depledge, D. Washington, DC: GMF.
2010: Shifting Bases, Shifting Perils: A Scoping Study on Security Implications of Climate Change in the OSCE Region and Beyond. Maas, A. et al. Berlin: Adelphi Research in Kooperation mit Chatham House und Cimera.
2010: Facing the Climate Security Threat: Why the Security Community Needs a “Whole-of-Government” Response to Global Climate Change. Mabey, N. Washington, DC: GMF.
2010: Climate Conflict: how global warming threatens security and what to do about it. Mazo, J., London: International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
2010: Climate Change and National Security: A field map and analysis of funding opportunities. Sherry, C., Philanthropic Consulting
2010: Future Landscapes of Conflict or Cooperation? Climate Security Needs Transatlantic Leadership. Taenzler, D. and Carius, A. Washington, DC: GMF.
2009: Climate Change and Security in Africa. A Study for the Nordic-African Foreign Ministers Meeting. Brown, O. and A. Crawford. Winnipeg: International Institute for Sustainable Development.
2009: Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions. Climate Change and the Risk of Violent Conflict in the Middle East. Brown, O. and A. Crawford. Winnipeg: International Institute for Sustainable Development.
2009: Regional Security Implications of Climate Change. A Synopsis. Maas, Achim and Dennis Tänzler. Berlin: Adelphi Consult.
2009: The future is here: Climate change in the Pacific. Maclellan, Nic. Oxfam Briefing Paper 2009. Oxfam Australia and Oxfam New Zealand.
2009: Environmental Law and Policy: Climate Change as a Threat to International Peace and Security. Gupta, Sonia. Perspectives on Global Issues.
2009: In Search of Shelter: Mapping the Effects of Climate Change on Human Migration and Displacement. Warner, K./Ehrhart, C./de Sherbinin, A./Adamo, S./Chai-Onn, T., CARE International.
2008: American Security Project, A New American Arsenal
2008: Council on Foreign Relations, Confronting Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Foreign Policy
2008:Climate Change and Security. Challenges for German Development Cooperation, Carius, A./Tänzler, D./Maas, A. Eschborn: GTZ.
2007-2008: The Security Implications of Climate Change, John Podesta and Peter Ogden
2007: The Age of Consequences: The Foreign Policy and National Security Implications of Global Climate Change, CSIS and CNAS
2007: Climate Change and Security in Asia: Issues and Implications for Australia. Barnett, John. Melbourne-Asia Policy Paper 9. The University of Melbourne.
2007: Climate change as the ‘new’ security threat: implications for Africa. Brown, O./Hammill, A./McLeman, R. International Affairs 83: 6, 1141-1154.
2007: Climate Change and National Security. An Agenda for Action. Busby, Joshua. CSR No. 32. Washington: Council on Foreign Relations.
2007: Beyond Disasters: Creating opportunities for peace. Chafe, Zoё and Michael Renner. Washington: Worldwatch Institute.
2007: Climate Change: A New Threat to Middle East Security. Freimuth, L./Bromberg, G./Mehyar, M./Al Khateeb, N. EcoPeace/Friends of the Earth Middle East.
2007: World in Transition. Climate Change as a Security Risk. Executive Summary. German Advisory Council on Global Change. Berlin.
2007: A climate of conflict. The links between climate change, war and peace. Smith, Dan and Janani Vivekananda. London: International Alert.
2007: Climate Change and Foreign Policy. Drexhage, John et al. Winnipeg: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
2007: Climate Change and Borders. Paskal, Cleo. London: Chatham House.
2007: Foreign policy and national security implications of global climate change. CSIS. Washington.
2006: Is there “Climate Security” for India? “Tipping Points” as Drivers of Future Environmental Conflicts. Background Paper. Tänzler, D./Schinke, B./Bals, C.
2005: Climate Change poses greater security threat than terrorism. Global Security Brief No. 3., Sawin, Janet L. Washington, D.C.: Worldwatch Institute.
2004: The Security Implications of Climate Change for the UN System. Background paper. Purvis, Nigel and Joshua Busby. Washington, D.C.: The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
2003: An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security.Schwartz, Peter and Doug Randal. Emeryville, USA: Global Business Network (GBN).
2001: Security and Climate Change. Barnett, Jon. Tyndall Centre Working Paper 7
Additional Sources of Climate Change and Security Resources
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES): Online Resources and References
Environmental Conflict and Cooperation, ECC-Platform:“Climate Change Extended Reading List”
2012 NCSE Conference: Environment and Security: Resources
Christine Youngblut, Institute for Defense Analyses: Climate Change Effects: Issues for International and US National Security (pg 41-47)
