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Sunday, August 9, 2009

Climate Change Seen as Threat to U.S. Security


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Editor's Note: Is this something we should be asking our state, federal and local reps about – what can we do together to help reduce the effects of global warming? Or will the question get lost in the din of nonstop growth and political feuding? Texas, The Friendly State, by itself, as we all know, is one of the world's leading emitters of greenhouse gases. Hays and other CenTex counties are working to battle air pollution, but not climate change. This is starting to look like we will need a one-two punch. We're wondering if the new county budget (our county budget, actually) will include any Earth Friendly measures worth mentioning. Budget deliberations are now under way. OUR new budget will go into effect on Oct. 1. Give Judge Sumter (512.393.2205) a buzz , or your commissioner, and ask 'em what's up.

See this interesting study from Texas A&M University on the effects of climate change on trees and grasses in Central Texas.

By JOHN M. BRODER
Published: August 8, 2009

New York Times

Read the full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/science/earth/09climate.html?_r=1&hp

WASHINGTON — The changing global climate will pose profound strategic challenges to the United States in coming decades, raising the prospect of military intervention to deal with the effects of violent storms, drought, mass migration and pandemics, military and intelligence analysts say.

Such climate-induced crises could topple governments, feed terrorist movements or destabilize entire regions, say the analysts, experts at the Pentagon and intelligence agencies who for the first time are taking a serious look at the national security implications of climate change.

Related
Times Topics: Global Warming

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read this on 8/9 in the NY Times and responded with the following comment:

"This is not merely politics and economics, it is our nation's life or death. I am concerned for our future in many ways, but global warming along with all the other issues should be a major concern.

Hopefully, leaders will consider more than what is written here. It is not merely a security issue, it is our lifeline.

Our infrastructures must be rebuilt and modified as we are not prepared for the onslaught of severe weather related issues, continued economic burdens and other problems.

We should be doing this now, as jobs are needed to provide employment to those who have no work. It takes an eternity for our government to implement its decisions and that's a concern as well.

The article hides a lot of detail and other concerns.

One of mine still is the U.S. immigration issue. What happens when more and more people come to the U.S. legally and illegally due to critical weather and internal chaos of their nations, governments and war lords?

How will we handle it all if we don't modify and enforce our immigration laws and policies? What will happen to the U.S. and our grandchildren?

It also triggers health care issues. What about the ongoing sky-rocketing premium costs that will catapult as more people arrive in the U.S., which will add to the health needs of the current population.

All of these issues will kill the wallets of American taxpayers."

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, your thoughts are well presented and well centered. Much appreciated. It seems, sometimes, that it takes the proverbial 2x4 to grab one's attention.

Anonymous said...

Global climate change is just another single word from the bleeding heart multi-culturalists for health care reform. I want oil for my SUV, not clean air for my children. The anti-American socialists who now run our historically great country wants to take all the good things away from us - like our overseas job migration and cheap products from the Orient. I like the fact that the big corporations get my tax dollars for unearned bonuses, bleeding consumers, and polluting the environment. Bring back another Bush. We can kill and maim more American soldiers for oil wars overseas. I loved the good 'ol white days and I want them back.