Climate change a national security 'issue': Pentagon

Many of the US military's key installations are facing increasing difficulties due to climate change, the Pentagon said Friday in a report critics slammed as understating the scope of the problem.

The 22-page document looked at 79 "priority" facilities around the US and found many vulnerable to flooding and wildfires, as well as the impacts of desertification, drought and melting permafrost.

"The effects of a changing climate are a national security issue with potential impacts to Department of Defense missions, operational plans and installations," the document states.

The military "must be able to adapt current and future operations to address the impacts of a variety of threats and conditions, including those from weather and natural events."