Pentagon Reports on Effects of Climate Change on the Defense Department and Military Bases and Facilities, Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment Survey, Efforts to Increase Installation Resiliency

Two important Pentagon reports about the effects of global warming and climate change on the Department of Defense (DoD) have been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. The first report in the compilation was issued in January 2019 and is entitled Report on Effects of a Changing Climate to the Department of Defense. The second, from 2018, is the Department of Defense Climate-Related Risk to DoD Infrastructure Initial Vulnerability Assessment Survey (SLVAS) Report.

Climate-related events at 79 military installations of concern include recurrent flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, and thawing permafrost.

Vulnerabilities to installations include coastal and riverine flooding. Coastal flooding may result from storm surge during severe weather events. Over time, gradual sea level changes magnify the impacts of storm surge, and may eventually result in permanent inundation of property. Increasing coverage of land from nuisance flooding during high tides, also called "sunny day" flooding, is already affecting many coastal communities. Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE-Langley AFB), Virginia, has experienced 14 inches in sea level rise since 1930 due to localized land subsidence and sea level rise. Flooding at JBLE-Langley, with a mean sea level elevation of three feet, has become more frequent and severe. Navy Base Coronado experiences isolated and flash flooding during tropical storm events, particularly in El Nino years. Upland Special Areas are subject to flash floods. The main installation reports worsening sea level rise and storm surge impacts that include access limitations and other logistic related impairments. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic and the greater Hampton Roads area is one of the most vulnerable to flooding military operational installation areas in the United States. Sea level rise, land subsidence, and changing ocean currents have resulted in more frequent nuisance flooding and increased vulnerability to coastal storms. As a result, and to better mitigate these issues, the Region has engaged in several initiatives and partnerships to address the associated challenges.