NATO Faces Growing Security Risks from Climate Change

NATO Faces Growing Security Risks from Climate Change

NATO is increasingly recognizing the significant security risks posed by climate change, as highlighted in a new report. The 75-year-old security alliance is uniquely positioned to analyze and prepare for these challenges, which range from the melting Arctic ice and Russia's military expansion in the region to increased migration flows into Europe and North America driven by climate change-fueled extreme weather events.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the climate threats and responses from NATO's adversaries, including Russia and China. It notes that while Russia has not integrated climate change into its military planning, China has adopted a more forward-leaning strategy.

The recent NATO summit in Washington also brought attention to the emerging cybersecurity threats linked to climate change. NATO allies are already experiencing the impacts of climate change through extreme weather events such as floods, heat waves, and wildfires. These events have necessitated military deployments to support civilian authorities, exemplified by the deployment of over 2,000 military personnel in Canada to combat last year's worst wildfire season on record.

In 2023 alone, NATO conducted 29 international military deployments in response to climate-related emergencies in 14 member countries. This included support from a dozen allies to help Greece fight wildfires. The alliance's forces will increasingly need to contend with more extreme weather conditions, which pose significant operational challenges.

Extreme heat, for instance, can limit the effectiveness of weapons systems and support infrastructure, as well as threaten the health of troops. The report highlights that adversaries, particularly Russia, are exploiting climate and energy-transition-related disinformation to undermine political will for climate action. This disinformation aims to sow division and delay action, jeopardizing public understanding and response during climate-exacerbated disasters.

One notable example is Russia's disinformation campaign during the deadly fire in Lahaina, Maui, last year, which sought to divert attention from Ukraine by promoting the narrative that the U.S. should focus on aiding its own citizens. Such tactics underscore the complex interplay between climate change and geopolitical strategies.

The NATO report also warns of tipping points in the climate system that could lead to severe consequences such as flooded cities or collapsing agricultural productivity, potentially escalating instability and displacement in already climate-stressed regions. Managing the effects of climate change while navigating the ongoing energy transition presents unprecedented dilemmas for NATO members.

National security assessments have long recognized the threats posed by rapid Arctic warming, sea level rise, and other climate impacts. The new NATO analysis provides detailed insights into how these changes affect military installations and personnel, noting the growing number of "black flag" days when temperatures exceed 95°F, rendering military operations impractical.

For instance, Canadian tank crews become operationally ineffective above this temperature threshold, necessitating personal cooling solutions. Similarly, extreme heat can prevent certain helicopters from generating sufficient lift and impose weight limits on cargo planes like the C-17 Globemaster.

In conclusion, NATO is actively engaged in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, from managing melting permafrost at its northernmost training sites to combating online disinformation during climate-related disasters. The alliance's proactive approach underscores the critical need to integrate climate considerations into global security strategies.

 NATO is increasingly recognizing the security risks posed by climate change, including its impacts in the Arctic and its potential to exacerbate extreme weather events and migration flows. A new report highlights the unique capabilities of the 75-year-old alliance to address these challenges and compares the climate strategies of adversaries such as Russia and China. The report also discusses emerging cybersecurity threats related to climate change, noting how adversaries use disinformation to undermine climate action. Additionally, NATO faces operational challenges from extreme heat, which affects the functionality of military equipment and personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is NATO concerned about climate change? A1: NATO is concerned because climate change poses various security risks, including extreme weather events, increased migration, and the operational impact of extreme heat on military equipment and personnel.

Q2: How are NATO's adversaries addressing climate change? A2: The report notes that Russia has not incorporated climate change into its military planning, whereas China has a more proactive strategy regarding climate change.

Q3: What are the new cybersecurity threats related to climate change? A3: The report highlights how adversaries like Russia use climate and energy-transition-related disinformation to undermine political will for climate action and disrupt effective responses to climate-related disasters.

Q4: How is NATO responding to extreme weather events caused by climate change? A4: NATO has deployed military personnel to assist civilian authorities in response to extreme weather events, such as wildfires and floods, in various member countries.

Q5: What operational challenges does NATO face due to extreme heat? A5: Extreme heat can limit the operational effectiveness of military equipment and personnel, such as reducing the lift capability of helicopters and imposing weight limits on cargo planes.

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