Global Warming, Africa and National Security

Global warming and the resulting climate change is an issue with far reaching security ramifications for the United States. The US has vested interests in regional stability in many critical areas throughout the world. Few of these areas are growing in importance as quickly as Africa. The United States' interests in Africa include reliable access to resources, support against extremist groups, and cooperation on regional security issues to name a few. The effects of climate change will likely have the most devastating impact on the nations least able to adapt and cope due to current instability, weak central governments, external pressures or other challenges. This characterizes many countries in Africa. What are the likely effects of climate change on Africa? How should the United States, and specifically the new USAFRICOM Headquarters, prepare for the inevitable crises associated with climate change? This essay explores many of these issues.