In dire report, Pentagon warns of US bases imperiled by climate change
Washington — The US defence department has issued a dire report on how climate change could affect the nation’s armed forces and security, warning that rising seas could inundate coastal bases and drought-fueled wildfires could endanger inland ones. The 22-page assessment delivered to Congress on Thursday says about two-thirds of 79 mission-essential military installations in the US that were reviewed are vulnerable to current or future flooding, with more than half vulnerable to current or future drought. About half also are at risk from wildfires, including the threat of mudslides and erosion from rains following the blazes. “The effects of a changing climate are a national security issue with potential impacts to department of defence missions, operational plans and installations,” defence department spokesperson Heather Babb said in an e-mail. The report, which was mandated by Congress, describes widespread impacts, dispersed across the US, with more coastal flooding along the E...
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