Climate Security

Climate Security

Our Contribution

Addressing the National Security and Global Challenges of Climate Change

Climate change is reshaping nearly every aspect of life on our planet, with significant implications for national security. Making climate-informed decisions, adapting our forces to a climate-changed world, and contributing to our nation’s climate goals are among the many challenges that require bold innovations to maintain national preeminence in this uncertain future.

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 from across the Johns Hopkins enterprise, industry, and government to explore strategic opportunities to make the greatest impact on climate change.

Contributing Mission Area

Research and Exploratory Development Homeland Defense
Related Areas of Impact
Watch: Research Frontiers Forum 2023

Climate Change and National Security: Goals, Gaps, and Game Changers

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

The forum revealed a strong alignment and commitment to achieving national goals, provided firsthand account of critical gaps that we face, and offered a glimpse of promising technologies that can provide the necessary climate intelligence, operational resilience, and green systems to enable a climate-ready force.

Our Impact

  • Ocean and Coastal Operations

    Ocean and Coastal Operations Impacts Maintain Naval Supremacy

    Enable Arctic sensing and operations. Ensure naval base integrity and resilience.

  • Land Force Deployment

    Land Force Deployment Impacts Combat-Ready Forces

    Assure resilient and sustainable operations. Enable robust, self-sufficient, and responsive expeditionary forces.

  • Atmospheric Impacts

    Atmospheric Impacts Ensure Air-Based Superiority

    Ensure communications and sensing in new environmental conditions. Anticipate and understand effects of geoengineering.

  • Geopolitical Impacts

    Geopolitical Impacts Anticipate Emerging Threats to National Security

    Inform international policy and monitor global adherence. Develop measures and models of climate-driven instability.

  • Environmental and Health Impacts

    Environmental and Health Impacts Protect the Homeland, National Health, and the Environment

    Ensure security and resilience of domestic infrastructure. Mitigate increased health threats from extreme conditions.

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SXSW 2023

Combatting Climate Change with AI

The SXSW 2023 session Combatting Climate Change with AI presented by two Johns Hopkins University leaders highlights new artificial intelligence tools to understand, model, mitigate, and adapt to climate change, enabling the radical transformation needed for a healthier planet. The presenters are:

  • Jim Bellingham, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of exploration robotics and executive director, Institute for Assured Autonomy
  • Elizabeth Reilly, senior AI researcher and supervisor at Johns Hopkins APL

From the depths of the ocean to the outer edges of the atmosphere, the duo shares powerful insights and project examples within their respective research areas. They present several collaborations that deploy AI to combat climate change, such as Climate TRACE, PACMANS, and a project between APL, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that is creating AI tools to better forecast air quality threats.

Partner with Us

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