Pentagon warns Congress that climate change is a ‘national security’ risk to military bases

By Josh Siegel

Published January 18, 2019 4:49pm ET

Pentagon warns Congress that climate change is a ‘national security’ risk to military bases — U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Blair Sweigert, left, who missed a paycheck a day earlier during the partial government shutdown, works with Washington State Patrol Capt. Dan Atchison in a shared office where they coordinate marine security at Sector Puget Sound base Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Seattle. The Coast Guard is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is unfunded during the shutdown, now in its fourth week. | (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The Defense Department issued a report to Congress Thursday finding that climate change is a “national security” issue that could leave military bases vulnerable to coastal flooding and wildfires fueled by drought.

“The effects of a changing climate are a national security issue with potential impacts to Department of Defense missions, operational plans, and installations,” the 22-page report said.