The following NOAA map shows the Impact of 6 meters Sea Level Rise. The red indicates areas of inundation resulting in the loss of sovereign territory.

 

 

Unfortunately, according to Kenneth G. Miller, professor of earth and planetary sciences, Rutgers University, “The natural state of the earth with present carbon dioxide levels is one with sea levels about 20 meters higher than at present.”

Even more ominously the atmospheric carbon dioxide trend is inexorably higher. Over the last fifty years there has been a 25 percent increase from 320 parts per million (ppm) to 400 ppm and in spite of the fact the threat from climate change has been public knowledge for at least half that period, the rate of increase has remained constant.

As well as the threat to the territorial integrity of coastal nations, the Whitehouse cites the following National Security Implications from selected Federal Reports.

Climate change is an urgent and growing threat to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters, refugee flows, and conflicts over basic resources like food and water. The present day effects of climate change are being felt from the Arctic to the Midwest. Increased sea levels and storm surges threaten coastal regions, infrastructure, and property. In turn, the global economy suffers, compounding the growing costs of preparing and restoring infrastructure.”

(White House, National Security Strategy, February 2015)

“The impacts of climate change could directly affect the Nation’s critical infrastructure. In U.S. coastal regions, rising sea levels, higher storm surge, and increased erosion could damage or destroy critical infrastructure. In Western States, higher temperatures and more frequent or severe heat waves could buckle railways, damage roads, and strain powersystems.”

(Department of Homeland Security, Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap,June 2012)

 

“We judge global climate change will have wide-ranging implications for U.S.national security interests over the next 20 years . . . The United States depends on a smooth functioning international system ensuring the flow of trade and market access to critical raw materials such as oil and gas, and security for its allies and partners. Climate change and climate change policies could affect all of these domestic stability in a number of key states, the opening of new sea lanes and access to raw materials, and the global economy more broadly with significant geopolitical consequences.”

(National Intelligence Committee,National Intelligence Assessment on the National Security Implications of Global Climate Change to 2030,June 25, 2008.)

“A changing climate will have real impacts on our military and the way it executes its missions.The military could be called upon more often to support civil authorities, and provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the face of more frequent and more intense natural disasters. Our coastal installations are vulnerable to rising sea leve ls and increased flooding, while droughts, wildfires, and more extreme temperatures could threaten many of our training activities. Our supply chains could be impacted, and we will need to ensure our critical equipment works under more extreme weather conditions. Weather has always affected military operations, and as the climate changes, the way we execute operations may be altered or constrained. . . Climate change will affect the Department of Defense’s ability to defend the Nation and poses immediate risks to U.S. national security.”

(Department of Defense, Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap, 2014.)

 

The United States is not the only country threatened by global warming which is mitigated by the production of energy that moves life threatening heat to the safety of deep water.