The DoD's Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap (CCAR)

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has led efforts to address climate change and this leadership will increase with the release of the Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap (CCAR). As the world’s single largest energy consumer, this initiative has global implications. The DoD understands the geopolitical consequences of climate change which include conflict acceleration and greater competition for basic resources, both of which will have serious implications.

National Security Officials on the Threat of Climate Change

Here are 15 current and former national security officials in their own words reviewing the threats posed by climate change:

• Thomas Fingar, former chairman of President Bush’s National Intelligence Council: “We judge global climate change will have wide-ranging implications for U.S. national security interests over the next 20 years … We judge that the most significant impact for the United States will be indirect and result from climate-driven effects on many other countries and their potential to seriously affect U.S. national security interests.”

Political "Heroes" and "Villains" on US Air Pollution

A new analysis from the NRDC Action Fund, released in conjunction with advocacy group Environment America reveals "Who Votes Dirty?" The report, released on September 12, lists members of the US House and Senate as either "clean air heroes" or "dirty air villains" based on their votes on legislation related to air pollution. According to the NRDC's analysis, 99 members of the House and 43 senators were dubbed heroes, while 139 House members and 39 Senators were labeled villains.

A large number of the Dirty Air Villains, 48 Congressmen and 25 Senators, represent districts in towns and cities the American Lung Association (ALA) have ranked as the 25 most polluted cities in the US.