National Intelligence Council: Climate Threat Is Real

Today, the U.S. National Intelligence Council publicly launched its long-awaited report, Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds. And luckily for us, the Hill’s Ben Geman has written an excellent summary of the report’s assessment of climate risks. Furthermore, today’s panel discussions included some great commentary from a range of experts, practitioners and strategic thinkers. As the video of the proceedings is not up yet, below is a “140 character or less” snapshot of their remarks, and associated commentary, which we contributed to (and captured) in the twittersphere.

CentrClimateSecurity ‏@ClimateSecLink. MT @CvetinChill@Fredkempe at @AtlanticCouncil#gt2030: US used to exaggerate dangers & react, eg Sputnik. Now we underestimate them.

Mariette DiChristina ‏@mdichristina Burrows cites poss destabilizing influences of climate change. B4 a crisis, “U really want to have agreements in place” re water. #gt2030

CentrClimateSecurity ‏@ClimateSecLink Burrows: #Climate change, refugees, #water becoming a much bigger issue, even in societies where they are able to handle it #GT2030

CentrClimateSecurity ‏@ClimateSecLink MT @BarryPavel Burrows: Of all changes coming, we have weakest grasp of climate change. #gt2030

CentrClimateSecurity ‏@ClimateSecLink Burrows: This is a period of change and very rapid change…We are entering a period of uncharted change. #Climate#tectonic change #GT2030

Costa Samaras ‏@CostaSamaras “By 2030 the [GHG] emissions trajectory will be cast, determining this century’s #climate outcome.” #gt2030

CentrClimateSecurity ‏@ClimateSecLink RT @AtlanticCouncil Points we’ll hear today: #Climate change stands to make competition for resources more fierce in 2030. #gt2030

CentrClimateSecurity ‏@ClimateSecLink RT @ODNI_NIC#Climatechange will worsen the outlook for the availability of food and water. #GT2030#gt2030

NIC ‏@ODNI_NIC Regional Instability: The Middle East and South Asia are the 2 regions most likely to trigger broader instability. #gt2030

Stay tuned tomorrow as well, as the agenda will include more discussion of climate change risks.