Climate Security

Addressing the national security and operational challenges in a changing world

Focus Areas

Our Impact

APL is bringing all of its core competencies to bear on this critical challenge area, assembling top experts from a variety of scientific fields and partners to explore strategic opportunities to protect our operations in a changing world.

Climate Intelligence

Identifying threats, enabling informed planning, and developing early warning systems

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A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, flies over East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operator (SEALs), Norwegian Naval Special Operations commandos and the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) during an integration exercise to bolster skills in an Arctic environment March 9, 2024, as part of Arctic Edge 24. Credit: U.S. Air National Guard/Chief Petty Officer Jeff Atherton

Operational Resilience

Adapting and maintaining a resilient force that meets the coming demand and scope for military operations

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Mission Systems

Anticipating and enabling self-sustaining operations in future missions and environments

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Accelerating Air Quality Forecasts

Severe wildfires have released millions of smoke-borne contaminants into the air, setting off air quality alerts across the country. APL is using artificial intelligence to accelerate air quality forecasts and ultimately deliver a better understanding of how and where these pollutants will travel.

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A researcher experiments in APL’s biomanufacturing lab. (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL)

Advancing Biomanufacturing for National Security

Researchers at APL are combining their technical expertise, creativity, and national security acumen to put biomanufacturing to work to make supply chains more secure, strengthen the defense industrial base, and produce materials wherever and whenever.

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ISC researchers Elizabeth Reilly and Jason Lee apply mathematical models to understand how different shocks impact food security.

AI for Climate Intelligence

Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and mathematics to spur innovation and novel solutions to challenges at the intersection of earth systems and national security

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Event Highlights

2024 Atlantic Coastal Resilience Workshop Event Recap

In May 2024, APL hosted the Atlantic Coastal Resilience Workshop, bringing together close to 100 members of academia, industry, government, and nonprofits to forge a path forward in strategic development of coastal resilience in the Atlantic region.

Key Takeaways From ACR 2024

Third National Workshop on Environmental DNA

Hosted by APL and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, the 3rd National Workshop on Environmental DNA served as a mechanism to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss eDNA technologies, newly released national strategies, and implementation priorities.

Day 1 Speaker Recordings
Day 2 Speaker Recordings

Admiral James Stavridis delivers the keynote address at APL's RFF 2023

Climate Change and National Security: Goals, Gaps, and Game Changers Research Frontiers Forum 2023

At the 2023 Research Frontiers Forum, APL assembled diverse thought leaders to discuss Climate Change and National Security: Goals. Gaps. Game Changers.

Playlist: Research Frontiers Forum 2023

Meet Our Experts

Andrew Merkle Department Head, Research and Exploratory Development

Learn more about Andrew C. Merkle

Bobby Armiger Branch Supervisor, Exploratory Science

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Into Vanishing Ice May 21, 2024

The melting Arctic is creating new trade, economic and operational opportunities — but also new challenges that could threaten the U.S. border and the region’s fragile ecosystem. Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL are pooling their expertise and established experience in materials, modeling, AI and sensing to develop the technology and knowledge for a sustainable and lasting foothold in this rapidly changing region.

Learn more about Into Vanishing Ice

Johns Hopkins APL Reaches Highest Mark for Intellectual Property Disclosures Jan 6, 2025

APL staff members filed a record 564 intellectual property disclosures in fiscal year 2024, reinforcing the Laboratory’s strategic value to sponsors and the nation and demonstrating an initial return on the Laboratory’s multimillion-dollar investments in transforming novel ideas into real and impactful solutions.

Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Reaches Highest Mark for Intellectual Property Disclosures

Workshop participants who attended in person gathered on APL’s campus for a group photo.

Unveiling the Nation’s Bold Strategy to Advance Environmental DNA: Key Workshop Takeaways Jul 25, 2024

Over 250 scientists, practitioners and policymakers recently gathered on Johns Hopkins APL’s campus for the Third National Workshop on Marine Environmental DNA to launch a new federal aquatic eDNA National Strategy, discuss state-of-the-art eDNA science, and identify implementation opportunities that will realize the full potential of eDNA as a tool to monitor aquatic ecosystems.

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APL is developing a suite of solutions, including coral engineering, eDNA analysis and climate intelligence, that work together to improve long-term resilience at the coastline.

Johns Hopkins APL Developing a Suite of Solutions to Address Coastal Challenges Apr 25, 2024

As coastlines become more difficult to secure, APL is combining expertise in materials engineering, marine biology, plant biology, computer science and modeling to fortify coastal resilience.

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Using Artificial Intelligence, Better Pollution Predictions Are in the Air Jan 30, 2024

As the global climate warms, wildfires are increasing in severity and frequency, and consequently releasing more smoke-borne contaminants into the air. To better predict how and where those pollutants are traveling, APL researchers are using artificial intelligence to simulate atmospheric models and improve the resolution and speed of air quality forecasts.

Learn more about Using Artificial Intelligence, Better Pollution Predictions Are in the Air