CLIMATE CRISIS COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, February 13 at 10:00 AM ET on Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) will lead a hearing of the Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis entitled, “Understanding and Combating the Security Risks of Climate Change.” At Thursday’s hearing, the special committee—which is chaired by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and is affiliated with the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee—will hear from experts who will provide insights on how the risks created by climate change impact our country’s national security. The witnesses will also describe the costs the Department of Defense (DoD) is facing and propose policies that can help solve the problems discussed.

EVENT:
Special Committee on the Climate Crisis Hearing: Understanding and Combating the Security Risks of Climate Change

WHEN:
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 10:00 AM ET

WHERE:      
U.S. Capitol
Senate Visitors Center (SVC)
Room 210-212

WHO:
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Hearing Chair - Prepared Opening Statement

Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, United States Navy (Retired) - Prepared Testimony
The Honorable John Conger, Director, Center for Climate and Security - Prepared Testimony, Additional Documents
Andrew Holland, Chief Operating Officer, American Security Project - Prepared Testimony, Additional Documents

The Department of Defense (DoD) has long observed that climate change poses a risk to military readiness. During the hearing, experts will focus on two key aspects: threats to critical infrastructure and climate change as a threat multiplier. Extreme and more frequent weather events due to climate change, like flooding, droughts, wildfires, and storms, pose immediate threats to the safety of key military installations and training ranges worldwide. Additionally, the climate change crisis is considered a “threat multiplier” because it exacerbates the challenges nations around the world confront already, including infectious disease epidemics and armed insurgencies. It can also create significant, new challenges that overburden weak nation-states and spur social upheaval and conflict..

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