All Hell Breaking Loose

The Pentagon's Perspective on Climate Change

By: Michael T. Klare

Narrated by: Richard Poe

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

All Hell Breaking Loose is an eye-opening examination of climate change from the perspective of the US military.

The Pentagon, unsentimental and politically conservative, might not seem likely to be worried about climate change - still linked, for many people, with polar bears and coral reefs. Yet, of all the major institutions in American society, none take climate change as seriously as the US military. Both as participants in climate-triggered conflicts abroad and as first responders to hurricanes and other disasters on American soil, the armed services are already confronting the impacts of global warming. The military now regards climate change as one of the top threats to American national security - and is busy developing strategies to cope with it.

Drawing on previously obscure reports and government documents, renowned security expert Michael Klare shows that the US military sees the climate threat as imperiling the country on several fronts at once. Droughts and food shortages are stoking conflicts in ethnically divided nations, with "climate refugees" producing worldwide havoc. Pandemics and other humanitarian disasters will increasingly require extensive military involvement. The melting Arctic is creating new seaways to defend. And rising seas threaten American cities and military bases themselves.

While others still debate the causes of global warming, the Pentagon is intensely focused on its effects. Its response makes it clear that where it counts, the immense impact of climate change is not in doubt.

©2019 Michael T. Klare (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Our biggest danger

In a comprehensive accounting of the US military's preparations for the worsening effects of climate change, I actually found some comfort. Despite the fact that US policy is in the hands of The Popular Vote Loser, Trump, I am relieved to learn that our military understands what is coming and is preparing both to cope with that and to lessen its own carbon footprint. So there actually are some adults in the room. How ridiculous it is that these military good guys have to avoid talking about the truth, so that Cadet Bone Spurs won't have a tantrum, or more likely, probably announce that he will run the armed forces without any of these experts.

Good overview of AGW induced institutional changes

How does a large institution with a critical mission adapt to the systemic threats posed by climate change? This book offers a good overview of what the US military has done so far. It’s also an enjoyable look at how the military attacks large problems, and all the concerns they must account for: Things like the role energy independence and sustainability play in military effectiveness are laid out with great clarity. I came out of it with a better idea of what any institution must contend with going forward, and the self sufficiency needed.

The reader takes a little getting used to, and there are areas I thought needed more detail, but overall it was well worth the listen.

Eye to our future

Michael Kors book although very interesting was also scary to read because as you turn literally each page you realize that you’ve seen all the signs yourself. We all know that corporations rule the world and he makes a strong argument for why this is going to be the end of us basically I highly recommend this for anyone that gets into a lot of discussions about the future and also highly recommend it is a very well told and well researched story.

Good information. Redundancy throughout

Good information. Introduction and Conclusion provide the best synthesis. The chapters in the middle are full of redundant thoughts, some obvious political bias, and a few more details on some of the concepts discussed in the introduction and conclusion.

Looks like we need to face trouble

The book claims to call on much Pentagon planning referring to documents from and associates to, the US military. Trump may ‘suggest’ he is a climate denier but certainly his Army are making considerable plans for expected difficulty, including the potential for “all hell to break loose” if multiple events come at once. If all truly accurate, the USA are spending billions on what they believe will be the biggest threat to security over China, Russia or terrorism. Climate is the Pentagons biggest concern