Pandemics and climate change both threaten national security, and yet the U.S. is ill-prepared for them.

Coronavirus has taken more than 100,000 lives in the U.S., forced 40 million Americans to file for unemployment, and devastated the economy. It has also affected military readiness and preparedness. Coronavirus forced the military to postpone boot camp, cancel training exercises, and disrupted normal operations. 

Worsening storms, rising seas, drought, and extreme heat–all linked to climate change–have taken American lives, disproportionately impacted low-income and people of color, caused billions in economic damage and disrupted the U.S. economy. Climate change also threatens military readiness and preparedness, is an “accelerant for instability” abroad, and has the potential to threaten U.S. national security interests. 

Climate change, however, is increasing the likelihood of future pandemics, and the consequences of climate change are only getting worse. The military must act now to prepare. Join Major General Rick Devereaux, USAF (ret.) of Asheville, North Carolina for a discussion of what the military is doing and needs to do to mitigate the threat posed by future pandemics and climate change.