Why Ecological Disruptions are a Risk to National Security

Overfishing, disease and environmental crimes cause social and political instability, economic strife and strained international relations — for the U.S. and beyond.

By , Professor, Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State; , Chief Scientist, Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network and MarineGEO, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Institution; and , Adjunct Professor, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

Illegal deforestation is one way terrorist groups fund their activities. Amaury Falt-Brown/AFP via Getty Images

When the natural environment is stretched beyond its ability to meet basic human needs for food, clean air, drinkable water and shelter, it is not just a humanitarian concern for the world community. Research shows that these crises are a matter of for the U.S. and other countries.

The Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community have long paid close attention to the . Although recent intelligence reports of the Trump administration have , prior intelligence reports have shown how climate change can generate , affect how troops and equipment work, and influence which…