The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence approved the inclusion in their primary intelligence policy bill of language, derived from a bill by Representatives Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), requiring a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) assessing the security challenges arising from global warming. The Markey-Bartlett Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act, H.R. 1961, was introduced last month.
“A thorough analysis of the connection between global warming and our own national security will be a crucial planning and risk-assessment tool as the Congress seeks innovative solutions to global warming. Just a few weeks ago, in the first hearing of my Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, we focused on the geopolitical and national security consequences of global warming. At the hearing, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army General Gordon Sullivan talked of the rise of regional conflict due to drought, famine and disease, which are all made worse by global warming pollution. General Sullivan endorsed my NIE legislation, and reminded us that the chaos and violence in Somalia is an example of what happens when drought begets famine, and famine begets conflict,” said Rep. Markey.

“A National Intelligence Estimate of the impact of climate change on U.S. national and economic security was the number one recommendation by a blue-ribbon panel of 11 retired generals and admirals and I am very pleased that it has been included in the Intelligence Authorization ," said Rep. Bartlett.

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.

Markey added, "Intelligence Committee Chairman Reyes and Subcommittee Chairwoman Eshoo should be commended for taking the initiative to ensure that the Intelligence Authorization bill includes a requirement for an NIE of the geopolitical and security risks of global warming. The inclusion of this provision is an important step towards getting America's intelligence and defense community to think clearly about the security and political implications that global warming could have for us in the 21st century."

The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, H.R. 2082, is expected on the House Floor for debate next week.

Letter from Gen. Gordon Sullivan in support of the Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act (PDF)