House Republicans want President Obama’s advisers to tell them why they believe climate change should be considered as a national security threat by the federal government.
Obama signed a presidential memorandum last week directing all parts of the federal government to consider the effects of climate change when coming up with national security plans. Republicans on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee are asking Obama’s top climate adviser, Brian Deese, to brief the committee on what science the administration is using to justify the memorandum.
“The committee has genuine interest in the climate science and information that the administration claims impacts national security,” wrote Rep. Lamar Smith, Texas Republican and chairman of the committee, on Monday.
“As the committee with primary jurisdiction over federal government scientific research within the U.S. House of Representatives, it is necessary for us to better understand the science that underpins the studies, climate models, reports and conclusions that the administration will use as the basis of its analysis and national security policy development.”
Obama directed 20 federal agencies and offices dealing with national security to “collaborate to ensure the best information on climate impacts is available to strengthen our national security.”
That means administration officials will prioritize climate threats that pose a direct threat to national security and make the effects of climate change a part of all national security plans and policies.
Many scientists believe the burning of fossil fuels, and the subsequent release of greenhouse gases, are driving climate change and the warming of the planet.
Smith, who says he believes the climate is changing but doubts the science that states man is the reason why, wants Deese to brief the committee by Oct. 10.
