The climate crisis is changing how the U.S. will have to manage nuclear deterrence. A new report from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace describes the potential impact of extreme heat and flooding and other consequences of climate change on nuclear infrastructure. Rising sea levels will increase the vulnerability of nuclear submarines; flooding and extreme heat will impact access to intercontinental ballistic missile silos making it harder to maintain; and extreme heat and flooding pose risks to aircraft and the ability for bombers to take off or land. The report recommends the Department of Defense and of Energy assess and plan for climate vulnerability of nuclear weapon facilities.
