[R-G] An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario - Implications for US National Security

[Tom Childs]

http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.aspobjid=D1D1366D000000FC7EF08ADEBE3347A3

>From World Resources Institute
Thursday, May 13, 2004

An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario - Implications for US National
Security

As part of the World Resources Institute's WRI Briefings 2004 series,
Peter Schwartz will discuss the findings of his report, "An Abrupt
Climate Change Scenario - Implications for US National Security" at WRI
on Monday, May 17, 2004 from 12:15pm to 2pm. The report resulted in a
"climate change scenario that although not the most likely, is
plausible, and would challenge US national security in ways that should
be considered immediately."

Peter Schwartz is co-author of a controversial study on abrupt climate
change commissioned by the Pentagon. The study, released early this
year, suggests the possibility that the gradual global warming happening
today could lead to a relatively abrupt slowing of the ocean's
thermohaline conveyor (e.g. the Gulf Stream). This could lead to harsher
weather conditions, sharply reduced soil moisture, and more intense
winds in certain regions that currently provides a large amount of the
world's food. Without adequate preparation, the result could be a
significant drop in the Earth's capacity to support life. 

Schwartz is an internationally renowned futurist and business
strategist. As a specialist in scenario planning, he creates alternative
perspectives of the future and develops strategies for a changing world.
His current work encompasses energy resources and the environment,
technology, financial services, aerospace, telecommunications, media and
entertainment, national security, and the Asia-Pacific region.

WRI Briefings 2004 is a lecture series presented by the World Resources
Institute, an environmental research and policy organization that
creates solutions to protect the planet and improve people's lives
(http://www.wri.org).

The World Resources Institute is located at 10 G Street, NE, 8th Floor,
Washington, DC 20002 (Red Line Metro: Exit at Union Station. WRI is
between North Capitol and First Street, NE)


For more information, please contact Christopher Lagan, WRI media
officer, (202) 729-7684, clagan at wri.org 




For more information, contact:

Christopher Lagan
Media Officer
World Resources Institute
10 G. St., NE
Washington, DC 20002
clagan at wri.org 


Web site: 

http://newsroom.wri.org