Working group on climate, nuclear, and security affairs - Report two: a clear path for reducing complex threats

Beginning in 2016, the Center for Climate and Security established the Working Group on Climate, Nuclear, and Security Affairs to examine the confluence of these three sets of risks. The group reconvened in January 2018 to more deeply explore three specific questions the Working Group identified in 2017. First, can we devise a flexible policy toolkit to allow public and private actors to address the nexus of climate, nuclear, and security challenges? Second, for high-priority regions in which these trends are present, how might we reduce the odds they will combine in destabilizing ways? Finally, how can we begin to improve how we communicate to the public and policy makers regarding these types of complex yet existential risks? 

This paper provides summaries of the insights produced via breakout sessions the Working Group held during its January 2018 meeting to focus on the three questions raised above. It then briefly describes select themes that emerged from the Working Group’s deliberations, and highlights specific recommendations.