Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel unveiled a climate change roadmap on Monday, urging his international counterparts to remain “clear-eyed” about the “security threats” presented by global warming.
Speaking at a meeting of defense ministers in Peru, Hagel announced the new Pentagon report, which is set to be released later on Monday and details the Defense Department’s plan to fight climate change.
{mosads}”There are worrying signs that climate change will create serious risks to stability in our own hemisphere,” Hagel said, according to the Pentagon’s official Twitter account.
“Our military’s readiness could be tested, and our capabilities could be stressed. U.S. DOD takes these risks very seriously, and that is why today we are launching a new Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap,” he added.
Hagel said the United States would work with partner nations “bilaterally” and through groups like the Inter-American Defense Board.
It isn’t the first time Hagel has talked about the impact of climate change on military operations but it signals an increasing focus from the Pentagon on the issue as it moves to tackle concerns head on.
While Hagel noted that rising sea levels and extreme weather events impact each region of the world differently, and each military plays different roles, he called on the defense ministers to take action.
“We must be clear-eyed about the security threats presented by climate change, and we must be pro-active in addressing them,” Hagel said.
Hagel said the Pentagon refers to climate change as a “threat multiplier” because it has the ability to “exacerbate” many of the challenges the U.S. deals with today.
The Pentagon’s climate roadmap will be released Monday afternoon, according to officials.