Resources

THE SECURITY THREAT THAT BINDS US

A report from the Converging Risks Lab of the Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) identifies the global loss of nature and degradation of natural systems as a major and underappreciated security threat and calls on the United States to reboot its national security architecture to better respond to this evolving threat landscape. The following fact sheets provide details on the actions the U.S. can take to address this threat.

• Report: The Unraveling of Ecological and Natural Security and What the United States Can Do About It
• 8 Key Actions the United States Can Take to Address This Threat Government Appropriations
• Actions the U.S. Can Take to Reboot an Environment-Ready National Security Structure
• Climate Change and its Impact on National Security
• Water Insecurity and its Impact on National Security
• Food Insecurity and its Impact on National Security
• Wildlife and its Impact on National Security
• Forests and their Impact on National Security

FACT SHEETS

The following fact sheets provide useful information on Natural Security, international conservation, and the U.S. investment in a diverse range of impactful programs around the globe to promote biodiversity, protect natural resources, and support global security and the economy.

• What is Natural Security?
• Federal Investment in International Conservation: FY19, FY20 and FY21 Government Appropriations
• About the Natural Security Campaign
• Zoonotic Disease and Preventing Global Pandemics
• Combating Wildlife Trafficking
• Promoting Global Food and Water Security
• Defending Against Natural Disasters
• Fighting Illegal Natural Resource Trade
• Survey: Americans Overwhelmingly Support International Conservation Programs and Funding

VIRTUAL BRIEFINGS

• Preventing the Next Pandemic
• Community-Based Wildlife Conservation, the Role of  Ecotourism and the Impacts of COVID-19
• How community-Run Forests are Preventing Deforestation, Providing Economic Opportunities and Promoting Regional Security 

NATURAL SECURITY IN THE NEWS

• Add Natural Conservation to Security-Cooperation Efforts. Defense One, June 24, 2021
• The International Conservation Partnership's letter to the White House on Climate. ICP, April 29, 2021
• Global loss of nature threatens US national security and influence abroad. The Hill, April 21, 2021
• Global environmental disruption is most underappreciated national security threat. The Hill, April 02, 2021
• Ted Lieu raises alarm over biodiversity and climate change. The Hill, March 25, 2021
• "The Security Threat That Binds Us." The Converging Risks Lab of the Council on Strategic Risks, February 9, 2021
• "The fight to protect the world’s most trafficked wild commodity." National Geographic, August 16, 2019
• "Stopping Wildlife Trafficking Could Help Strengthen U.S. National Security." Wilson Center New Security Beat, March 25, 2019.
• "GOP, Dems Are Fighting Rhino and Tiger Poachers Together." NewsMax, December 14, 2018.
• "Bipartisan Resolution Introduced Urging China to Maintain Ban on Rhino and Tiger Parts." U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, December 13, 2018.
• "China’s Mixed Messages on the Global Trade in Endangered-Animal Parts." The New York Times Magazine, December 2, 2018. By Brook Larmer.
• “Poachers linked to drugs, guns and terrorism steer world wildlife populations toward extinction.” Florida Business Daily, November 8, 2018. By John Sammon.
• “Sessions takes aggressive stand against wildlife poaching and trafficking.” Yellowhammer, November 2, 2018.
• “Support International Conservation Efforts.” Idaho Press, September 28, 2018. By Robert & Brendan Atkinson.
• “How to Stop Poaching and Protect Endangered Species? Forget the ‘Kingpins.’” The New York Times, September 24, 2018. By Rachel Nuwer.
• “Stopping Illegal Loggers is Both Pro-Business and Pro-Environment.” NewsMax, September 13, 2018. By Jared Whitley.
• “Why Environmental Destruction in Latin America is a Threat to U.S. Interests.” Foreign Policy News, August 28, 2018. By Kamelia Kilawan.
• “Giraffe Parts Sales Are Booming In The US, And It's Legal.” The New York Times, August 23, 2018. By Karen Weintraub.
• “Foreign Aid for Conservation is a Benefit to US Consumers.” The Hill, August 15, 2018. By James Durso.
• “The Surprising Link Between Alabama Seafood, Timber And U.S. National Security, And How Shelby Is Leading The Way.” Yellowhammer, July 21, 2018. By Allison Ross.
• “International conservation aid contributes to U.S. economic and national security.” Tulsa World, July 13, 2018. By Rodger Randle.

OTHER LINKS OF INTEREST

• Illegal Wildlife Trade
• Intelligence-Led Enforcement of Wildlife Trafficking
• Water and Security
• Building the Case for Green Infrastructure
• Water Risk Filter
• Environment & Disaster Management
• The Geopolitics of Environmental Challenges
• Nature, Livelihoods, and Economies
• Stopping Illegal Logging
• Center for Strategic and International Studies/National Geographic Report: Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing as a National Security Threat
• International Conservation Budget (2015)
• Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), George Mason University
• Stimson Center: Environmental Security
• Brookings Institution: Illicit Trade