Short Takes

In congressional testimony, Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence, warned of the potential for drastic climate change: “The impacts of the long-term trends toward a warming climate, more air pollution, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity are likely to fuel economic and social discontent - and possibly upheaval - through 2018.” He continued, “Extreme weather events in a warmer world have the potential for greater impacts and can compound with other drivers to raise the risk of humanitarian disasters, conflict, water and food shortages, population migration, labor shortfalls, price shocks, and power outages. Research has not identified indicators of tipping points in climate-linked earth systems, suggesting a possibility of abrupt climate change.” Coats also asserted that climatic changes could result in far-reaching global disruption. This is the first time a high-profile Trump intelligence official has used such direct language to address the threats associated with climate change.

Source: Public Policy Reports - February 23, 2018 Category: Biology Authors: AIBS Source Type: news