Pentagon adviser: Thirst for oil poses threat to US national security

[bigtree]

Wednesday 28 October


AMERICA'S thirst for oil is a gathering threat to its national security – and the risk will grow further as the world's population touches 7 billion, a military adviser to the Pentagon told the Senate today.

In a second day of debate on energy, Democratic senators today pivoted from the economy to national security to try to make the case for a climate change bill.

The threat to Americans' security ranged from the here and now – with troops in Afghanistan and Iraq tied down by their reliance on gas-guzzling equipment – to years into the future when extreme temperatures and rising sea levels could lead to a widespread social breakdown.

"We have never before on this planet had close to 7 billion people which we will have in 2011. We have never had the unprecedented level of per capita energy use multiplied by that 7 billion people," Dennis McGinn, a member of the Military Advisory Board, composed of senior retired admirals and generals, told the Senate. "We have a whole host of indicators, warnings and trends that tells us climate change is bad for national security."

He said the country would face risks on multiple fronts. "America's current energy posture constitutes a serious and urgent threat to national security – militarily, diplomatically and economically."


read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/28/climate-change-senate-national-security

[KansDem]

1. It is a "national security" issue...

...along with education, health, and the environment, and therefore should not be left in the hands of private concerns.

They have shown repeatedly they do not have the nation's best interests at heart.

[thunder rising]

2. How come I can't get paid to state the obvious?

[Ikonoklast]

3. High school freshman know this.

I get a nasty headache whenever I read stuff like this.

[SpiralHawk]

4. Eat my shorts

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. 7 Billion people in 2 years???

Really?

[FarCenter]

10. U.S. & World Population Clocks

http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html

U.S. 307,806,317
World 6,793,471,078
23:27 UTC (EST+5) Oct 28, 2009

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. Wow. I missed this somehow.

No idea we were that close.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. Wrong.

It's a thirst for ENERGY, not for oil.

Oil is a resource that has run its course. What we have left needs to be preserved for such uses as can ONLY be provided by oil - burning oil to run our cars and heat our homes is wasting a finite resource.

Continuing to rely on oil for our energy needs is what will do us in.

[taterguy]

7. That settles it. Anyone who drives when they don't have to should be charged with treason

Who's with me?

[Wounded Bear]

8. I'll support you!

Just as soon as I get back from running some errands.

:)

[taterguy]

9. Are your legs broken?

I profusely apologize in advance if that happens to be the case