Posted on 04/15/2007 10:57:20 AM PDT by jeepgal
Former US military leaders have called on the Bush administration to make major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. In a report, they say global warming poses a serious threat to national security, as the US could be drawn into wars over water and other conflicts.
They appear to criticise President George W Bush's refusal to join an international treaty to cut emissions.
Among the 11 authors are ex-Army chief of staff Gordon Sullivan and Mr Bush's ex-Mid-East peace envoy Anthony Zinni.
The report says the US "must become a more constructive partner" with other nations to fight global warming and deal with its consequences.
It warns that over the next 30 to 40 years, there will be conflicts over water resources, as well as increased instability resulting from rising sea levels and global warming-related refugees.
"The chaos that results can be an incubator of civil strife, genocide and the growth of terrorism," the 35-page report predicts.
'Pay now - or later'
Writing in the report, Gen Zinni, a former commander of US Central Command, says: "It's not hard to make the connection between climate change and instability, or climate change and terrorism."
He adds: "We will pay for this one way or another. We will pay to reduce greenhouse gas emissions today, and we'll have to take an economic hit of some kind.
"Or we will pay the price later in military terms. And that will involve human lives. There will be a human toll."
The report was issued by a Virginia-based national security think-tank, The CNA Corporation, and was written by six retired admirals and five retired generals.
Climate scientists broadly endorsed the report.
But Stanford scientist Terry Root, a joint author of this month's international scientific report on the effects of global warming on life on Earth, said its timescale might be too alarmist, as some of the predicted events - while likely to occur - could take longer than 30 years to happen.
Methinks, some “Former US military leaders” have jumped the shark long time ago and should stick to what they know best... retirement.
Many of them are “former military leaders” for a reason.
Cutting the enemies’ water, and/or starving them, is an age-hallowed military tactics. Rather than object to it, they are to be sent back to school.
BTW, it's snowing here now in southern New Hampshire and we're having one of the coldest springs on record.
Okay...now we have ex-Generals talking about global warming along with Hagel...
My gosh...what are they going to find next to stick their noses into??
LOL. If there was any doubt before, we know now that this is all political. I wonder how much the think tank was paid to produce this garbage. What is instructive is the orchestrated effort from all sides recently trying to stampede us into taking immediate action. Energy independence is one thing, asserting that man can control climate change is another.
This article is as pointless as one titled:
Oh good grief.
Is there no end to this!
Inter-agency squabble: rising waters mean less land for the Army to fight on and more water for the Navy to fight in.
Can’t let the Navy get increased appropriations, doncha know!
Lord have mercy. I think we all need a break from news. I’m taking mine soon.
I always thought it was radical Islam, silly me.
Where were these people and the immigration people during the 90’s??
Did this so-called global warming disaster-to-be JUST start in Jan 2001??
Did immigration become a problem in the 80’s under Reagan, then skip a decade and only become a disaster in Jan 2001???
Actually, sleuthie, disasters, poverty, homelessness, all sorts of crises, only occur when there is a Republican in the White House.
Pathetic beyond belief. What is next: Former Generals urges Bush to raise taxes and to approve of gay marriage. Is there anything that these former Generals (the same usual useful idiots “Zini and company”) cannot interfere with.
You might not be far off..j!
I am thinking that the “don’t ask don’t tell” faction is being criticized now...and some of the critics MAY be these same generals.
Generals that are RETIRED, mind you.
Of course...what is my problem?
Waco, Oklahoma City, the first WTC attack? MY imagination.../s
Generals that are RETIRED and SENILE, mind you.
I would hope that they just want Hillary to shut up
Let me try this - I have some experience.
My father was a high ranking Naval officer when he retired.
When high ranking military officers retire - they sell themselves to anyone and everyone.
They realize they have a limited window to leverage their resumes and their rolodex.
“Double dipping” it’s called.
I get my military pension - and I sell my soul for a piece of the American dream.
It happens every single day.
It’s not shameful - it’s just human nature.
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