Climate and Security Week(s) in Review: September 17-30

Here are a list of notable headlines and comments on climate and security matters from the past several weeks. If we’ve missed any, let us know.

• Sept 30 – Thanks to climate change, ENSO’s impacts on temperature and wildfire will likely get stronger. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/changes-enso-impacts-warming-world … via @NOAAClimate

• Sept 29 – Climate change is a national security issue. Here’s how the Naval Academy, like many military installations around the world, are preparing for sea level rise. https://t.co/7FTJwOwcUF via @DefendOurFuture

• Sept 30 -My new piece in Current Climate Change Reports taking stock of the field of climate and security and how to make it more policy relevant. https://rdcu.be/77ry via @busbyj2

• Sept 30 -Release:  CCS Applauds Choice of Rear Admiral Phillips as Virginia’s Coastal Resilience Lead https://t.co/rBaBauoBmj via @CntrClimSec

• Sept 30 -Bloomberg TV: Climate Change as a Geopolitical Risk https://t.co/1pA788AaSd via @CntrClimSec

• Sept 29 –#Weeklypick #Mali #Floods that have affected 118,000 people since August damaged 3,800 houses and 70 water points. The situation is particularly critical for the most vulnerable populations, especially in #Timbuktu and #Gao regions. Read more: https://www.acaps.org/countries#weeklypicks … via @ACAPSproject

• Sept 28 -Brilliant stuff from @busbyj2 and team – how do we know what we think we know on climate and fragility risks compounding each other? Maps, data, metrics, all the good stuff. Bravo. https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00TBFH.pdf?mc_cid=9a663aa12f&mc_eid=01f8691c16 … via @shiloh_fetzek

• Sept 29 -Congratulations for reaching 5K milestone! Happy to see active #ClimateChange #diplomacy by colleagues at @CCMofa_Japan. For more info on Japan’s vision on #ClimateAction, read PM Abe’s op-ed piece on @FT: https://www.ft.com/content/c97b1458-ba5e-11e8-8dfd-2f1cbc7ee27c … via @Tomoakilshigaki

• Sept 28 -An independent report being released this morning by UMass Boston’s @SSL_UMB finds that for #Boston to be ready for climate change, governance structures have to be upgraded. Sponsored by @BosGreenRibbon with support of the @BarrFdn. https://bit.ly/2Ion0Vo  #climatechange via @UMassBoston

• Sept 28 -Army Assistant Secretary Nominee on Whether or Not Climate Change Affects the Military: “Absolutely.” https://t.co/1gExJjt7oE via @CntrClimSec

• Sept 28 -Climate Threats are Shaping Regional Security Cooperation in the Pacific https://t.co/9rr5qRJzOx via @CntrClimSec

• Sept 28 -Before the @SCNationalGuard’s high water vehicles can perform #SearchAndRescue missions, #soldiers like @USArmy Master Sgt. James Williamson have to measure the water depth and road integrity to see if they can get through. #KnowYourMil #HurricaneFlorence via @DeptofDefense

• Sept 27 –#Nepal Pacific Resilience Disaster Response Exercise and Exchange brings >300 disaster response professionals together to enhance crisis response capacity in the Indo-Pacific https://t.co/GuYoOXh4kQ via @PacificCommand

• Sept 27 –#ClimateSecurity nexus finds furtherance in #UNGA! Sir Tupou VI, King of Tonga said that UNSC must protect all from threats stemming from Climate change, as it also continues to “pose significant security threats to us as island States”. @TongaMissionUN via @PlanSecu

• Sept 27 -Yesterday at #UNGA: @MunSecConf, represented by Chairman @ischinger, moderated a discussion at the meeting of the “Group of Friends on Climate and Security” – upon invitation by German FM @HeikoMaas & President of @Republic_Nauru Baron Waqa via @MunSecConf

• Sept 25 -New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pledges $300 million in climate-related assistance over four years for Pacific countries, to help them adapt to #climate change impacts like coastal flooding, security threats and other risks. https://bit.ly/2zrURcT  #ClimateWeekNYC https://t.co/xJWAPxmVht via @RockyMtnInst

• Sept 25 – Happy @JMU International Week! This year’s theme is “Our Changing Climates: Everybody’s Business”. We invited Dr. Marcus King of @GWtweets to speak. Dr. King specializes in climate & security issues, particularly as they pertain to water rights & water scarcity. @JMUStudyAbroad via @cisrjmu

• Sept 25 -Breaking: @MBuhari addresses United Nations, speaks about migration, security and climate change (video): https://www.naija.ng/1194516-breaking-buhari-addresses-united-nations-video.html#1194516 … @BashirAhmaad #UNGA via @naijcom

• Sept 26 – Yesterday, President of #Finland @Niinisto spoke at the United Nations General Assembly 73rd General Debate. “Issues like sustainability, climate change and migration are not only about development and human rights. They are also essential questions of peace and security.” #UNGA https://t.co/l9iVV7Lo0z via @FinEmbSin

• Sept 26 -A good opportunity this morning to talk about #EU vision of challenges for #Mauritius, and to explain the EU-Mauritius partnership in key areas such as #climate change & #maritime security, at the #UN Strategic Partnership Framework for #Mauritius for 2019-2023 #GlobalGoals via EuAmbMauritius

• Sept 26 -Global agenda such as Climate Change & Peace/Security requires #multilateralism & @BNMarkussen of #EEAS argues that partnership with the AU while keeping EU-ACP platform that brings together over 100 countries is critical. #eaDebates via @MintwabZelelew

• Sept 26 -Leaders at the 49th Pacific Islands Forum recognized the importance of #humansecurity to support efforts in building resilience and regional cooperation in addressing climate change. @ForumSEC https://www.forumsec.org/forty-ninth-pacific-islands-forum-nauru-3rd-6th-september-2018/ … via @UNhumansecurity

• Sept 26 -Interested in how water scarcity and #climate impact security in the Middle East and elsewhere? Check out livestream of @CFTNI “Water Crises, Security and Climate Change” report launch on @TheNatlInterest FB page (talk starts arnd 1220 EST) https://www.facebook.com/thenatlinterest/ … via @CFTNI

• Sept 26 -“Water Crises, Security and Climate Change” report launches today! Read the full study here https://cftni.org/publications/water-crises-security-and-climate-change/ … via @CFTNI

• Sept 26 -Good exchange with my colleague of the Dominican Republic  @MiguelVargasM @MIREXRD. Looking forward to working closely together at the #UNSC the coming two years, particularly on climate change, the nexus climate/security and the challenges faced by #SIDS. via @dreynders

• Sept 26 -“Climate change continues to pose significant security threats to us as island States,” Tonga’s King told #UNGA Wednesday, pointing to its “devastating impacts” on “our marine environment.” https://t.co/fxnJHVVnyY via @UN_News_Centre

• Sept 26 – At the UN, Minister @ciarancannon stresses the need for urgent action on the links between security and climate change, with small island developing states particularly at risk. @irishmissionun via @Irish_Aid

• Sept 26 -Meeting on #climatechange and security. We need to transform our increasing understanding of how climate change affects security, into action & concrete policy options. Belgium will pursue the work of its predecessors in the #UNSC on this issue. #UN @UN via @dreynders

• Sept 26 –#Pacific and other #islands make strong push at #UNGA meeting of #UN ambassadors Group of Friends on #Climate and #Security to put #climatechange permanently on the #SecurityCouncil agenda #PSIDS #Maldives #SIDS #UNSC #UNGA73 #climatesecurity #climateambition #climateaction via @ronny_jumeau

• Sept 26 –KingdomNL @ministerBlok spoke at Group of Friends for Climate & Security. We’ll continue to mainstream security risks of climate change in #UNSC, enhance the link through @plansecu & work together to stand by #SIDS, who are most affected by #climatechange. via @NLatUN

• Sept 26 -Interesting discussion event at UN today on climate/security nexus which I was invited to moderate by hosts, German FM Heiko Maas and the President of Nauru via @ischinger

• Sept 26 -“I would like to reiterate the call I made in July at the #UN #SecurityCouncil for the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on #Climate & #Security.” – President Waqa of #Nauru to the #UNGA Full statement: https://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/73/nr_en.pdf … via ForumSEC

• Sept 26 -“#Palau reiterates its call as a member of the Pacific Small Island Developing States, for the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Climate & Security, which would address a significant gap in the UN system.” @TommyRemengesau https://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/73/pw_en.pdf … via @ForumSEC

• Sept 27 – Norway and Germany close partners on the important issue of climate & security, great meeting in NYC with Georg Børsting, Policy Director in Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs @GeorgBorsting @NorBotschaft @bmu @droege_s via @GERClimatEnergy

• Sept 27 -The impacts of climate change are increasingly viewed as global security risks, which will have far-reaching implications for both human and renewable natural systems. http://ewn.co.za/2018/09/26/how-climate-change-and-conflict-are-linked … via @ewnreporter

• Sept 27 -Successful meeting of our „Group of Friends on Climate and Security” led by @heikomaas and Baron Waqa, President of @Republic_Nauru at #UNGA. #Climatechange is priority topic for @germanydiplo: risk multiplier that needs to be addressed at @UN #SecurityCouncil. @ischinger via @GERonEconomy

• Sept 27 -At UN, Pacific Island leaders warn climate change poses dire security threat to their fragile countries and marine resources | UN News via @CliMig https://t.co/z6jMOsWam8

• Sept 27 -At UN, Tonga warns of dire security threats posed by climate change on island atoll countries https://t.co/195YGWCkZd via @asiapacificstar

• Sept 27 -Speaking at event on climate change on the margins of #UNGA,  Germany will bridge Sweden’s activities on climate&security in #UN Security Council @UNFCCC @EU_ENV @SWPBerlin @MAC_europa

• Sept 26 -The panel discussion from “Sea Level Rise and Security in the Southeast: Implications for the Military and Coastal Communities” held at @NCState Hunt Library 9.24.18 is now available for viewing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1hjL7oF2PY … @CntrClimSec @SeaGrantNC @APSounds @NCDEQ via @NorthCarolinaEE

• Sept 26 -Thank you #Tuvalu & the Pacific States for the close collaboration on #climateandsecurity, & the strong voice you bring to this important issue. ~ Sweden FM @margotwallstrom w/ Nauru PM Sopoaga at Group of Friends for #Climate & Security meeting hosted by @GermanyUN & #Nauru – at United Nations via @SwedenUN

• Sept 26 -And with the new commercial ship traffic, the US Navy and Coast Guard will face new demands (and cost) for security & aid, as @A_H_Goldstein and I wrote in this @CntrClimSec essay: https://climateandsecurity.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/4_dire-straits.pdf … via @CostaSamaras

• Sept 24 -Colonel Ian Cumming, Defence Climate Security Advisor, reflects on the obligation and responsibility of the defence force to prepare for #climatechange. #warmingworld @Sydney_Ideas via @SEI_Sydney

• Sept 24 -For Europe, dealing with climate change is a matter of political responsibility and multilateral engagement, and a matter of security, prevention of conflicts and instability around the world. #ClimaDiplo #United4Climate #UAE4betterClimate #EUUAEClimatePartners #EUintheUAE 2/2 via @EUintheUAE

• Sept 24 -North Carolina has more than 6,600 Army and Air National Guard troops involved in the Hurricane Florence response effort. But how does climate and sea level rise affect military security? We’re live streaming this event today at 2 pm https://deq.nc.gov/blog/2018-09-20/sea-level-rise-and-security-southeast-film-screening-and-discussion-panel … via @NCDEQ

• Sept 24 -So interesting to hear how climate change and sea level rise is presenting challenges to communities and the military. Panel members include people from academia, Center for Climate and Security, Dept of Homeland Security, and NC Dept of Env Quality @SeaGrantNC @NCDEQ @ccsncstate – at James B. Hunt Jr. Library via Em_The_Engineer

• Sept 24 -Critical & timely conversation about coastal flooding & climate change. Thanks for showing #Tidewater plus panel discussion.⁦@NCDEQ⁩ ⁦@SeaGrantNC⁩ ⁦@APSounds⁩ Center for Climate and Security ⁦@AmerResProj⁩ via @CindyLincoln3

• Sept 24 -The documentary “Tidewater,” from @AmerResProj, takes a look at the threat of rising seas to the Hampton Roads area of VA. You can watch the film here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/tidewater … via @SeaGrantNC

• Sept 24 -Guardsmen from 13 states came together to join the more than 3,000 N.C. Guardsmen to help support recovery efforts of #HurricaneFlorerence. Although the storm is over #NCNG will continue their recovery efforts until the needs of the state are met. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/294088/guard-nation-comes-together-after-hurricane-florence#.W6kYw0_jQhA.twitter … via @NCNationalGuard

• Sept 23 -LTG Todd Semonite 54th Chief of Engineers & USACE Commanding General discusses #Florence flood risk management operations along U.S. Hwy 501 in SC w members of the @SCArmyGuard who are using USACE supplies and technical advice. via @USACEHQ

• Sept 24 -Release: North Carolina Leaders, Military and Security Experts Discuss Climate Threats in Wake of Hurricane Florence https://climateandsecurity.org/2018/09/24/release-military-and-community-leaders-discuss-preparedness-in-north-carolina/ … via @CntrClimSec

• Sept 22 -This report shares climate change risks such as the loss of islands such as Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu. Further down the road cities such as Miami and New Orleans face threat from sea level rise: http://ow.ly/a4GZ30iHAdi  @CntrClimSec via @issuelab

• Sept 22 -MG Scott Spellmon, USACE DCG for Civil & Emergency Operations, & USACE CSM Bradley Houston, meet with LTC William Matheny of @SCNationalGuard today on U.S. Route 501 to discuss ongoing efforts to mitigate flood risk following #Florence. via @USACEHQ

• Sept 21 -Record evacuations cut #TyphoonMangkhut death toll, says #UN: https://buff.ly/2PMvtE0 via @ClimateHome

• Sept 21 -“We’re not going anywhere anytime soon until we know the rivers have crested and the waters start to recede and communities can try to get back to some semblance of normalcy.”https://t.co/SNkz5DAkpm @NCNationalGuard via @USNationalGuard

• Sept 21 -Researchers have suggested that crime and social disorder could rise along with further temperature increases https://t.co/WUMjudgE2p via @nytimes

• Sept 21 -Threat Multiplier: The Growing Security Implications of Climate Change A Conversation with Sherri Goodman https://www.fletchersecurity.org/  @GoodmanSherri @FletcherSecRev

• Sept 20 -Timely, crucial issue of .@FletcherSecRev on climate change, environment, geopolitics, and security. Check out the section on Human Costs, too: http://fletchersecurity.org . via @billakenmaster

• Sept 21 -My article on human trafficking and climate change just came out in the Fletcher Security Review. #ClimateChange can increase the risk of #HumanTrafficking. There’s a lot we can do to protect people. https://www.fletchersecurity.org/human-costs-v05n01 … via @Alice_C_Hill

• Sept 21 –#HumanitarianAssistance: @DeptofDefense hightlights how #SOUTHCOM persistently works w/ U.S. govt. agencies, partner nations & int’l organizations to help partners in #LatinAmerica prepare for & respond to crisis. via @southcomwatch

• Sept 20 –@USArmy #Soldiers continue to support relief and recovery efforts to #HurricaneFlorence victims in North and South Carolina. #ArmyResponse https://t.co/t0unARDSdt via @USArmy

• Sept 20 -In Datacubes and Commonsensing, @MinaSyriou discusses the CommonSensing Project which leverages earth observation data to provide vital information regarding disaster and climate risks to inform planning, food security needs & environmental assessments. #satsummit @sat_summit via @Mapbox

• Sept 20 -Earlier this month Pacific island leaders declared climate change the single greatest security threat to the region. In this piece I consider what that means, and steps needed to tackle the threat. @PACNEWS1 @ForumSEC #BluePacific https://goo.gl/ZyG2Ph , via @LowyInstitute via @wtmpacific

• Sept 20 -The 2018 #NationalDefenseStrategy outlines how the operating environment is changing. #Climatechange will only enhance this trend. Read ASP’s analysis on the #NDS and how #climate fits into the “Age of Great Power Competition. https://t.co/rBvUxibYfe via @amsecproject

• Sept 19 -.@USCG crews rescue residents in a #HorryCounty apartment complex as flood waters rise from #Florence. More information and imagery here: https://lnks.gd/2/89836L  #USCG #HurricaneFlorence #Flood #HappeningNow #BreakingNews #SouthCarolina via @USCGSoutheast

• Sept 19 -“This is what a water panic looks like in a major global city.” https://t.co/wZu5C3nkAT via @NewSecurityBeat

• Sept 19 -What do tomorrow’s military leaders need to learn about global economics, shifts in climate and water, capitalism and income inequality, and the national debt? https://t.co/fEEWM3dQOi via @WarOnTheRocks

• Sept 19 – IOM conducts first climate data tracking in Lake Chad Basin – Cameroon | ReliefWeb https://t.co/CdCODJqyUF via @CliMig

• Sept 18 -Maj. Gen. Rick Devereaux, USAF (Ret.) speaking at #VAClimateForum: “The U.S. military is planning for climate change.” “Military commanders are planning for increased natural disasters.” via @FaithforClimate

• Sept 19 -Check out the Climate Security Resource Hub – list of the latest climate security policy documents https://climatesecurity101.org/climate-security-resource-hub/ … #ClimateSecurity via @CntrClimSec

• Sept 19 -Even as #balkans faces weather extremes, new technologies are helping us prepare for and respond to disaster – @MelissaSterry #urbalkans via @GFDRR

• Sept 18 -Florence’s path shows Pentagon has to fight climate threats, especially in Hampton Roads https://t.co/4jmcYsHnoK via PilotOnline

• Sept 18 -Rising waters continue to frustrate rescue efforts and residents, FEMA chief says after North Carolina tour http://bit.ly/2Da3ugg  #HurricaneFlorence #FEMA via @EmergencyMgtMag

• Sept 18 -.@Norad_Northcom‘s Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy on Hurricane Florence’s aftermath: “The devastation from the storm and the rising waters has us concerned.” #Cavuto https://fxn.ws/2NmAir2 via @FoxNews

• Sept 18 -In North Carolina, 2 VA health centers remain closed through Sept. 24 due to the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Florence. All affected clinics and veteran centers in Virginia and South Carolina were reopened as of Tuesday https://t.co/Xea04MfdG8 via @starsandstripes

• Sept 18 -Gen. O’Shaughnessy of @Norad_Northcom, speaking to media just now in a news conference from Raleigh, gives DOD credit for an “outstanding” response to #Florence so far. He’s on to Q and A’s now (thread) -O’Shaughnessy says that the USS Kearsarge and USS Arlington are 10 miles off the coast at the border of the Carolinas, flying MV-22 operations. 2/In Charleston, the U.S. military moved forces from Moody AFB in Georgia to help with rescues, O’Shaughnessy says. Also, now that forces in the Virginia Beach have returned following the storm, they also are able to assist in the Carolinas, he says. 3/O’Shaughnessy says that high-water vehicles are “probably the most used asset” used now. He adds that the Coast Guard has the lead on search-and-rescue, but DOD also is assisting with it. 4/O’Shaughnessy says that the equipment and vehicles already in place will work if rivers continue to rise in North Carolina following #Florence. One example: Several hundred trucks at Fort Bragg have been used, including in rescues. 5/ O’Shaughnessy says there are about 700 active-duty forces in North Carolina, and about 600 more in S. Carolina. That, of course, is not counting National Guard, Coast Guard and several thousand active-duty troops assisting from locations like Fort AP Hill in Virginia. 6/Perhaps illustrating the difficulty with communications in North Carolina, O’Shaughnessy’s video feed just went dead. He comes back to reporters in the Pentagon via phone. 7/O’Shaughnessy says “we’re not out of the woods” with flooding following #Florence. The Coast Guard is doing “the preponderance of the rescuing,” he says. 8/NORTHCOM is “a little bit more involved” in #Florence relief effort than previous hurricane relief efforts to coordinate DOD efforts across the board, O’Shaughnessy acknowledges. That comes at the direction of Secretary Mattis, he says. 9/Final comments from O’Shaughnessy: national response framework working as designed. This is a point he has been hitting over and over in the last few days. It comes, of course, after last year’s difficulties following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. 10/10 via @DanLamothe

• Sept 17 -.@ArmyChiefStaff observes the flooding from #HurricaneFlorence in Onslow County, N.C. We stand with our communities in their time of need and our primary concern is helping affected communities recover. #ArmyResponse via @USArmy

• Sept 18 -Florence’s path shows Pentagon has to fight climate threats too https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/state/florence-s-path-shows-pentagon-has-to-fight-climate-threats/article_3d8c8c24-ba9f-11e8-a816-a32adca175e0.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share … via @dailyprogress

• Sept 18 -Catastrophic flooding from Florence is expected to worsen in coming days, prompting the U.S. military to keep thousands of troops prepared to help, general says https://t.co/h0KjWEgx6R via @starsandstripes

• Sept 17 -Over 13,000 #Soldiers are working with state and local authorities in the Carolinas to help those impacted by #HurricaneFlorence. The “Total Army” active, guard, reserve and Army Corps of Engineers are supporting @USArmyNorth, @fema, and the people of North and South Carolina via @ArmyChiefStaff

• Sept 18 -“What I have seen is that inland river flooding linked to hurricanes and heavy storms is a huge risk in the Southeast, but receives far less attention in emergency plans than coastal areas.” – Craig E. Colten https://t.co/F8dOru4M4k @LSU via @ConversationUS via @ddimick

• Sept 18 -.@PacificCommand postured to support our friends, allies – US #Marines currently in the Philippines for training & standing by, ready to respond to typhoon relief efforts, should they be called. Exercise KAMANDAG 2 strengthens our ability to respond together to any crisis via @PacificCommand

• Sept 17 -With #Florence‘s flooding expected to worsen, the U.S. military could respond in North Carolina for days, four-star generals say in interview this evening. The state of play now includes MV-22 operations off Navy ships nearby https://t.co/TKvBuPzb0R via @DanLamothe