The Multiplication of Threats: Climate Change & the Risks to National Security

Chicago Council on Science and Technology brings military, climate experts together to discuss “The Multiplication of Threats: Climate Change & the Risks to National Security”

Climate security has brought environmentalists and militaries across the world into a unique accord: both are concerned by the effects that climate change does and will have on existing situations of insecurity. The U.S. Department of Defense declared the threat of climate change impacts a very serious national security vulnerability that, among other things, could enable further terrorist activity. They deem climate change a “threat multiplier.”

In areas already affected by poverty, political instability, social tensions and environmental degradation, mass migrations, food scarcity, lack of freshwater and competition for resources can result from rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and other pressures caused by climate change.

Join Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST) and the American Security Project (ASP), a non-partisan think tank devoted to educating the American public about the changing state of national security, for a panel discussion about climate change as it relates to global and national security, and impacts on the Midwestern region.

The American Security Project believes the world is a global community, and true security can no longer be determined by military power alone. Founded by Senators John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, the American Security Project is made up of a diverse group of CEO’s, former members of congress, retired military generals, and other prominent officials.  ASP aims to empower the public to make informed, intelligent decisions. Their current focuses include economic competitiveness, climate and energy research, nuclear proliferation, the international sea treaty.

Speakers from ASP include Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney, USMC (Ret.), whose military career included tours as Deputy Executive Secretary to Defense Secretaries Cheney and Aspin; Brigadier General Steve Anderson (Ret.), CMO of a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that provides logistics to our troops deployed in the combat zone; and climate scientist Andrew Holland, who, prior to joining ASP, served as a legislative assistant on Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure for United States Senator Chuck Hagel. Atmospheric scientist and University of Chicago researcher Elisabeth Moyer will add a Midwest perspective to the discussion. Moyer is co-director of the university’s Center for Robust Decision making on Climate and Energy Policy.

In addition to our public program, C2ST and ASP will be conducting a two-day series of meetings with high-level city, state, and other key decision makers; climate, energy and public policy experts; and members of the press. You will not want to miss this event.

Be sure to tune in to WTTW’s Chicago Tonight on Tuesday, April 29 for a segment with Brigadier Gen. Cheney (Ret.), Andrew Holland and Elisabeth Moyer in advance of the panel discussion, 7 pm CDT on PBS.

DETAILS: Wednesday, April 30, 2014. 5 pm social hour and registration/ 6 pm program, Northwestern University, Robert H Lurie Medical Research Center, 303 E. Superior, Hughes Auditorium, Chicago IL, 60611. C2ST Members FREE / $5 students / $10 affiliate institutions / $20 regular admission. Discounted parking will be made available to the first 50 attendees at the 222 E. Huron St. garage. To register or for more information visit www.c2st.org, or contact Andrea Poet at 312-567-5795 (ofc) or 773-505-6007(cell), or apoet@c2st.org.

ABOUT C2ST: Chicago Council on Science and Technology is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization that brings researchers and scientists out of the lab, directly to you. We work with national laboratories, leading academic institutions and museums to educate the public on issues of critical scientific importance. In an age when barely one in four voting adults meet a basic level of scientific literacy, we aim to reignite an excitement and passion for science and technology, and remind Chicagoans that more research and development takes place within a 300 mile radius of their hometown than on both coasts combined.