Republican Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), is dismissing a report out yesterday on the human security threats of climate change, authored by 11 three and four-star US Admirals and Generals, saying the group is desperate for “publicity.” 

The report, National Security and the Threat of Climate Change, issued by the non-profit group CNA Corporation, concludes that:

~ Projected climate change poses a serious threat to America’s national security. 

~ Climate change acts as a threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world.

~ Projected climate change will add to tensions even in stable regions of the world.

~ Climate change, national security and energy dependence are a related set of global challenges.

One of the reports authors, Gen. Charles F. Wald told the New York Times that:

“In the past, the thinking was that climate change multiplied the significance of a situation. Now we’re saying it’s going to be a direct cause of instability.”

The report authors are all retired high-ranking US military — eleven retired three-star and four-star Admirals and Generals.

Senator Inhofe is dismissing the collective wisdom of this group, telling the New York Times that:

“There is no one in more pursuit of publicity than a retired military officer. I look back wistfully at the days of the Cold War. Now you have people who are mentally imbalanced, with the ability to deploy a nuclear weapon. For anyone to say that any type of global warming is anywhere close to the threat that we have with crazy people running around with nuclear weapons, it shows how desperate they are to get the public to buy this.”

Over the years Senator Inhofe has made his delusion around the realities of climate change famous by making public proclamations like “global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.” 

Inhofe is now taking his denial to a whole new level by going after this group of military experts.

Take for example retired General Gordon Sullivan, who was the 32nd chief of staff — the senior general officer in the Army and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — and now serves as the president and chief operating officer of the Association of the United States Army.

Or Lieutenant General Lawrence P. Farrell Jr., USAF (Ret.), Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, who is now the President and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association. 

With 97% of the world’s top scientists saying that the threat of climate change is real and dangerous, and high ranking military brass echoing this concern, Senator Inhofe’s behavior is moving quickly from ridiculous to outright irresponsible.