Sunday, March 13, 2011

Global warming may severely stress US naval forces

Sify News: A Texas A and M University researcher has said that changing global climate due to on-going and projected warming could severely impact U.S. naval forces worldwide. A warming climate presents national and homeland security challenges that will require the U.S. military to adopt a new way of doing business according to the report, National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces.

The report, issued by the National Research Council and requested by the Chief of Naval Operations, paints an ominous picture of disputes over national boundaries and exclusive economic zones, strains on naval capabilities due to increasing disaster assistance demands, vulnerabilities of naval coastal facilities to sea level rise, greater demands on America's international maritime partnerships, and a shortfall in naval capabilities and personnel trained to operate in the Arctic, said Mahlon "Chuck" Kennicutt II, professor of oceanography who was a member of the committee that authored the report.

The committee heard testimony from a large number of military, private sector and scientific experts. It was asked to examine climate change impacts on our world and how these might affect U.S. Naval forces' (including the Navy, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard) operations and capabilities.)

…"The report brings to the attention of U.S. naval leadership areas that need attention in future planning and that will prepare the Navy for a warmer world." Kennicutt points out that if the polar icecaps in Greenland and Antarctica continue to melt, sea levels around the world will dramatically rise. Rising sea levels could have wide ranging detrimental impacts on naval facilities now and in the future, the report says….

Activities aboard USS Monterey (CVL-26). Navy pilots in the forward elevator well playing basketball., ca. 06/1944. Jumper of the left is future President Gerald Ford

No comments: