When it comes to the climate change threat, Trump should listen to his general

In a stark contrast from the flagrant climate denial demonstrated by President Trump and many of his appointees, Defense Secretary James Mattis considers climate change a national security risk. In his written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis said, “Climate change is impacting stability in areas of the world where our troops are operating today.” He warned that climate change could lead to “increased maritime access to the Arctic, rising sea levels, desertification, among others.” He also pledged that the military will be “prepared to address the effects of a changing climate on our threat assessments, resources, and readiness.” The general’s concerns about climate change are in line with the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s 2010 Joint Operating Environment report, but his testimony contrasts sharply with EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s climate-denying admissions and the view that President Trump has expressed that climate change is a Chinese “hoax.” (Also disagreeing with Trump and Pruitt…97 percent of climate scientists.)