Senator Warner and the Pew Project, joined by Senator Gary Hart, visit Denver, CO

Press Release

For Wednesday, October 14, 2009


CONTACT:

Niki Hawthorne, 303-832-2444  

Brandon MacGillis, Pew Environment Group

202-887-8830 orbmacgillis@pewtrusts.org


Senators Warner and Hart and the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate

Discuss Climate and Security


Denver, CO - Today, the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate hosted a forum on National Security and Climate at the University of Colorado at Denver.  Joined by retired Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Gary Hart (D-CO), panelists discussed the critical links between climate change, protecting our national security, increasing our energy independence and preserving our region's economic vitality.


"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 former 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."


Numerous expert reports have documented the security challenges that unchecked global climate change could cause.   The Central Intelligence Agency's long-term forecasting arm, the National Intelligence Council (NIC), recently reported that global warming could directly impact the United States by threatening energy supplies, damaging military bases, increasing food and water shortages and stressing the economy.


“The old days of separating out energy, climate change and national security issues are over.  They are all inextricably intertwined,” said former Colorado Senator Gary Hart.  “The U.S. must take measures to become more energy independent and reduce global warming, thereby making our country more secure, and saving many lives.” 


"Forums like this will help engage our nation in an informed conversation on a clean energy future that makes America more secure," said Phyllis Cuttino, who directs the Pew Environment Group's U.S. Global Warming Campaign.

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