Within the last thirty years, linkages between climate change, inter or intra-state conflicts, and national security have become more apparent. Three main adverse impacts of climate change impinge on environmental security: resource scarcity, the increase in frequency and intensity of natural hazards, and human migration. Additionally, current projections regarding global population growth, climbing temperatures, rising sea levels, and political instability suggest that the impact of climate on global and national security will likely continue to feed the conflict cycle and escalate tensions worldwide. Given this context, this monograph will investigate the impacts of global climate change on the environmental and national security of Canada and the repercussions for the Canadian Armed Forces beyond the Arctic. This monograph is divided into four sections. The first section will provide a summary of the current state of affairs regarding climate change as a global phenomenon influencing environmental security. The second section will trace the linkages between the current environment and the ramifications for Canada as a nation. The third section will focus on Canada's national security policy in a climate-changing world. The last section will conclude the monograph and offer observations and implications for the contemporary and future of the CAF.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)