Senator John Warner and the Pew Project visit Tampa, FL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMonday, August 31, 2009
Contact:
Robin Rorapaugh, Pew Environment Group, Florida
954-261-0032 or rrorapaugh@msn.com
Kymberly Escobar, Pew Environment Group
202-887-8814 or kescobar@pewtrusts.org
Senator John Warner and the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate Visit Tampa to Highlight Climate-Security Link
Events at MacDill, South Tampa Chamber of Commerce and University of South Florida
(TAMPA, Fl) – Today, the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate and former Senator John Warner (R-VA) held events in Tampa to highlight the critical links between climate change, protecting national security, increasing energy independence and preserving our country's natural resources.
Senator Warner, Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn, U.S. Navy (Ret.) and Pew representatives started their day with a Q&A session with enlisted troops during a visit to the MacDill Air Force Base. Afterwards, Warner, McGinn and former Senator Connie Mack (R-FL) attended a forum, hosted by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce's military affairs committee, with members of the business community. The day ended with a panel presentation at the University of South Florida (USF) where Warner and McGinn were joined by former Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) and USF Patel Professor of Environment, Dr. Tom Crisman.
“I spent thirty years in the U.S. Senate working on behalf of our men and women in uniform serving our country and on the issues related to the impact of climate changes on their future military roles and missions," said Senator John Warner. "Leading military and security experts agree that if left unchecked, global warming could increase instability and lead to conflict in already fragile regions of the world. We ignore these facts at the peril of our national security and at great risk to those in uniform who serve this nation.”
Senator Warner served in the U.S. Navy during the final years of World War II, in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and was the Secretary of the Navy from 1972 to 1974. During his five terms in the U.S. Senate he was a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and was the longest serving Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee. In 2006, he joined with Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), to co-sponsor the Climate Security Act, the only climate change bill passed by a Senate committee.
"Few individuals have the depth of knowledge and experience on the energy, national security and environmental challenges facing our country and the world as Senator Warner,” said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the U.S. Global Warming Campaign for the Pew Environment Group. “Forums like this help engage our nation in an informed conversation on a clean energy future that makes America more secure.”
Expert reports have documented the security challenges that climate change could cause if left unaddressed. The Central Intelligence Agency's long-term forecasting arm, the National Intelligence Council (NIC), recently reported that global warming could directly impact the U.S. by threatening energy supplies, damaging military bases, increasing food and water shortages and stressing the economy.
The CNA Corporation report, “National Security and the Threat of Climate Change,” finds Florida's coasts, military bases and security are particularly vulnerable to impacts from global warming. For example, with Florida sea levels expected to rise at least 20 inches in this century, much of Miami, Fort Myers, a large portion of the Everglades and all of the Florida Keys could disappear. Sea level rises and lack of food and water could cause mass migration from the Caribbean basin and Central and South America into Florida straining the economy, security and resources. Military base infrastructure, such as Naval Air Station Pensacola, could be damaged, threatening the readiness of our forces.
“Climate change is a threat multiplier,” said Vice Admiral McGinn (Ret.), CNA Military Advisory Board Member. “Energy security, climate change and national security are a related set of global challenges. We cannot solve one without addressing all three.”
The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate brings together science and military policy experts to examine new strategies for combating climate change, protecting our national security, increasing our energy independence and preserving our nation's natural resources. Please visit www.pewclimatesecurity.org for additional information.
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