Climate change is affecting U.S. military bases, damaging them with floods and other natural disasters. The increasing frequency of these events could lead to major consequences for the United States’ armed forces.
- Kiran Jivnani, consultant with the GeoTech Center at the Atlantic Council, said the military is already focusing on preventative measures to secure vulnerable bases; she recommended DoD invest in smart technologies, people and training to further these efforts.
- Jivnani said unchecked climate change will lead to more severe weather disasters, which could exacerbate global instability, increasing the need for military missions.
- She said the military is not prepared for climate change threats, citing the example of costly flooding at Offutt Air Force Base in 2019.
