Scientists aren’t the only ones worried about climate change. The Department of Defense is too. And they’ve sought the help of the University of Arizona to be better prepared.
The U of A received two of four grants recently awarded by the government. The mission is to figure out how warmer temperatures, forest fires and water shortages could affect military operations.
"From a practical, pragmatic standpoint they understand changes in climate are fundamentally going to alter the way they conduct their operations, the way they conduct their training, as well as the threat the environment in the world," said U of A researcher Rafe Sagrin.
Large wildfires in the southwest have been linked to climate change, Sagrin said. The southwest is a particularly critical area for the military because the defense department is a large land holder in the region, he said.
Last year’s Monument fire burned dangerously close to Fort Huachuca in southern Arizona.
