Climate change a threat to US security

The US military is starting to plan for threats and disasters caused by climate change, according to reports in the New York Times.

Military planners are particularly worried about the effects of food and water shortages and flooding in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia.

Such scenarios could led to mass migration, religious conflict and demand for US humanitarian relief or even a military response, the New York Times reported.

Domestically, Pentagon officials are also concerned about US military installations. The Times said officials were looking at ways to protect major naval stations in Norfolk, Virginia and San Diego from rising sea levels and severe storms.

Another vulnerable installation is Diego Garcia, an atoll in the Indian Ocean, that serves as a logistics hub for US and British forces and sits a few feet above sea level.

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New York Times article