Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, reportedly addressed the omission of climate change from this year’s national threat assessment during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
In response to Senator Angus King’s inquiry about why climate change was no longer classified as a national security threat—given its mention in previous reports—Gabbard explained that the focus this year is on the most pressing and immediate threats to the United States.
Senator King pointed out that prior assessments consistently identified climate change as a significant issue, questioning whether the problem had been resolved.
Gabbard asserted that while past discussions acknowledged environmental impacts, this year’s assessment concentrated on the most critical threats to national safety and security.
She emphasized the need to prioritize what is deemed as “extreme and critical” threats impacting Americans directly.
Gabbard stated, “I directed our team at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to focus on the most severe threats we face.”
Her comments highlighted a strategic shift in the assessment’s approach, moving away from broader and potentially less immediate issues in favor of direct threats to citizens’ well-being.
This stance has sparked debate, especially among those who see climate change as an existential risk requiring urgent action.
Critics believe excluding climate change from the threat assessment undermines acknowledgment of its long-term implications.
Gabbard’s decision reflects a specific prioritization strategy amid a landscape of multiple security challenges, underscoring a need for clarity in assessing threats in a rapidly changing world.
As discussions evolve, the intelligence community faces scrutiny on how it defines and addresses multifaceted threats like climate change going forward.
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