WASHINGTON, D.C. – Responding to increasing concern from military experts, last night the House of Representatives approved the inclusion in their primary intelligence policy bill of a requirement for a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) assessing the security challenges arising from global warming. The provision was derived from the Markey-Bartlett Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act, H.R. 1961, which was introduced last month.

During late-night debate on the Intelligence Authorization Act, H.R. 2082, the House rejected an amendment to strip the Markey-Bartlett language by a vote of 185 to 230. The underlying bill passed with a vote of 225 to 197.

“If left unchecked, global warming could ultimately create real global conflict,” said Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. “It would be irresponsible for us to ignore the warnings of Generals and Admirals who have spent a lifetime on battlefields and who are telling us global warming has the potential to threaten our future security. Minor skirmishes over diminishing resources like clean water will only amplify if we don’t take action now to curb emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants that cause global warming. But as we begin to move forward to cut the pollution that is causing global warming, we also need to heed the warnings from these military experts and do a full intelligence assessment of what a changing climate could mean for our national security.”

The Select Committee’s inaugural hearing on April 18th focused on the nexus between global warming and geopolitical strife. It featured General Gordon Sullivan, Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, James Woolsey, Former CIA Director and others who explained global warming is a “threat multiplier.” The same week , the United Nations Security Council held their first ever meeting on the impact of global warming on conflicts around the world.

General Sullivan followed his testimony with a letter to Rep. Markey endorsing the Markey-Bartlett legislation requiring an NIE assessing the possible security threats presented by global warming. It can be found at http://globalwarming.house.gov.

Developed to assess the most serious threats to the United States, NIEs are the most authoritative intelligence judgments concerning national security issues. This NIE will study the political, social, agricultural and economic risks associated with global warming over the next 30 years.

In addition, further language from H.R. 1961 requiring the next National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Quadrennial Defense Review to include consideration of the risks posed by global warming to current and future Department of Defense missions, was included in the House Defense Authorization Bill which passed out of committee yesterday.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2007

CONTACT: Jessica Schafer
202.225.2836
Eben Burnham-Snyder
(Select Committee)
202-225-4081