PRESS RELEASE: Green Energy Policies, Climate Activism Threaten National Security

Published March 6, 2019

New Policy Brief by The Heartland Institute Supports National Security Council Lead Scientist Will Happer’s New Examination of Government-directed, Alarmist Climate Reports

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (March 7, 2019) – Climate activism rather than climate change poses a significant threat to American national security, The Heartland Institute documents in a just-published Policy Brief.

The paper, titled “Global Warming Energy Restrictions Threaten National Security,” debunks assertions that ongoing modest climate change creates “threat multiplier” political instability. Instead, writes author and Heartland Institute Senior Fellow James Taylor, a gradually warming world has nurtured record global crop production, a greening of the earth, a reduction in extreme weather events, and a reduction in the persistent cold temperatures that kill far more people than warm or hot temperatures. Each of these developments reduces political and military stresses that can lead to armed conflict.

“Proposals to restrict U.S. carbon dioxide emissions and impose expensive, jobs-killing energy sources on the economy present a clear and present danger to military strength,” Taylor wrote. “Restricting America’s energy freedom and stifling the economy impose a ‘cure’ that is more damaging than the asserted national security threat. A review of all risk factors reveals that imposing carbon dioxide restrictions on the U.S. economy would diminish, rather than enhance, American military preparedness.”

Read the Policy Brief here.

To interview Heartland Institute Senior Fellow James Taylor, please contact Director of Communications Jim Lakely at [email protected] or contact him at: 312/377-4000.

The Policy Brief explains that a dominant economy enabled America to assemble and maintain post-World War II military dominance. Policies that impose expensive low-carbon energy sources would stifle the American economy, which would in turn undermine our ability to fund a strong military. America’s long-term military dominance requires a dominant economy fueled by affordable, abundant conventional energy sources.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering the suggestion of National Security Council lead scientist Will Happer to form a panel of scientists to examine climate science and related national security impacts. Unlike past federal panels, the National Security Council panel would encourage an open, honest, inclusive, and fact-based analysis rather than merely summarize and advocate pre-determined alarmist talking points.

The National Security Council panel would be a welcome addition to the climate science discussion, and this latest Heartland Institute Policy Brief should prove instructive to panelists.

The Heartland Institute is a 35-year-old national nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Its mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems. For more information, visit our website or call 312/377-4000.