Climate security

Climate Security

Addressing the national security and global challenges of climate change
Focus Areas

Our Impact

APL is bringing all of its core competencies to bear on this critical challenge area, assembling top experts from a variety of scientific fields and partners from across the Johns Hopkins enterprise, industry, and government to explore strategic opportunities to make the greatest impact on climate change.

Satellite view of Earth

Climate Intelligence

Identifying climate threats, enabling climate-informed planning, and developing early warning systems


Learn more about Climate Intelligence
A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, flies over East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operator (SEALs), Norwegian Naval Special Operations commandos and the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) during an integration exercise to bolster skills in an Arctic environment March 9, 2024, as part of Arctic Edge 24. Credit: U.S. Air National Guard/Chief Petty Officer Jeff Atherton

Operational Resilience

Adapting and maintaining a climate-ready force that meets the coming demand and scope for military operations


Learn more about Operational Resilience
Rendering of wind turbines

Green Systems

Promising holistic, cradle-to-grave approaches to reduce carbon footprint and environmental impact


Learn more about Green Systems

Featured Work

Forest fire (Credit: Bigstock)

Accelerating Air Quality Forecasts

In the last several years, record-setting wildfires have released millions of smoke-borne contaminants into the air, setting off air quality alerts across the country. APL is using artificial intelligence to accelerate air quality forecasts and ultimately deliver a better understanding of how and where these pollutants will travel.
Learn more about Accelerating Air Quality Forecasts
A researcher experiments in APL’s biomanufacturing lab. (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL)

Advancing Biomanufacturing for National Security

Researchers at APL are combining their technical expertise, creativity, and national security acumen to put biomanufacturing to work to make supply chains more secure, strengthen the defense industrial base, and produce materials wherever and whenever.
Learn more about Advancing Biomanufacturing for National Security
ISC researchers Elizabeth Reilly and Jason Lee apply mathematical models to understand how different shocks impact food security.

Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action

Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and mathematics to spur innovation and novel solutions to challenges at the intersection of climate change and national security
Learn more about Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action
View All Climate Security Projects

Event Highlights

2024 ACR Conference

2024 Atlantic Coastal Resilience Workshop Event Recap

In May 2024, APL hosted the Atlantic Coastal Resilience Workshop, bringing together close to 100 members of academia, industry, government, and nonprofits to forge a path forward in strategic development of coastal resilience in the Atlantic region.

Third National Workshop on Marine eDNA

Third National Workshop on Environmental DNA

Hosted by APL and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, the 3rd National Workshop on Environmental DNA served as a mechanism to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss eDNA technologies, newly released national strategies, and implementation priorities.

Day 1 Speaker Recordings
Day 2 Speaker Recordings
Admiral James Stavridis delivers the keynote address at APL's RFF 2023

Climate Change and National Security: Goals, Gaps, and Game Changers Research Frontiers Forum 2023

At the 2023 Research Frontiers Forum, APL assembled diverse thought leaders to discuss Climate Change and National Security: Goals. Gaps. Game Changers. The forum revealed a strong alignment and commitment to achieving national goals, provided firsthand account of critical gaps that we face, and offered a glimpse of promising technologies that can provide the necessary climate intelligence, operational resilience, and green systems to enable a climate-ready force.

Playlist: Research Frontiers Forum 2023
Combatting Climate Change with AI

Combatting Climate Change with AI SXSW 2023

The SXSW 2023 session Combatting Climate Change with AI presented by two Johns Hopkins University leaders highlights new artificial intelligence tools to understand, model, mitigate, and adapt to climate change, enabling the radical transformation needed for a healthier planet.

Playlist: APL SXSW 2023

Related Videos

Earth (Credit: Bigstock)

Climate Science

Learn more about how APL is addressing the national security and global challenges of climate change.

Playlist: Climate Science

Meet Our Experts

Andrew C. Merkle

Andrew Merkle Mission Area Executive, Research and Exploratory Development

Learn more about Andrew C. Merkle
Marisa Hughes

Marisa Hughes Assistant Program Manager, Human and Machine Intelligence

Learn more about Marisa Hughes
Bobby Armiger

Bobby Armiger Branch Supervisor, Exploratory Science

Learn more about Bobby Armiger

For media inquiries, please contact the APL Public Affairs office.

Related News

A global emissions map produced by the Climate TRACE coalition.
News

Nov 19, 2024

Roads to Reservoirs: Expanding the Scope of Global Emissions Tracking

Johns Hopkins APL has expanded its partnership with the Climate TRACE coalition to enhance AI-powered tracking of global greenhouse gas emissions, including new sources like wastewater treatment plants and reservoirs.
Learn more about Roads to Reservoirs: Expanding the Scope of Global Emissions Tracking
Sustainability
News

Oct 15, 2024

Johns Hopkins APL Strives for Net Zero Emissions in New University-wide Climate Action and Sustainability Plan

APL will play an integral role in Johns Hopkins University’s new Climate Action and Sustainability Plan, which links efforts across the university to reduce emissions, address environmental footprints and pursue a healthier and more sustainable future.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Strives for Net Zero Emissions in New University-wide Climate Action and Sustainability Plan
APLers Rebecca Eager, Valerie Washington, Jared Markowitz, Marisel Villafane-Delgado and Krista Rand, who are working with researchers from the Whiting School of Engineering on a 2024 Discovery Award-funded project to improve how humans predict and prepare for climate impacts on critical infrastructure. (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman)
Press Release

Aug 7, 2024

Johns Hopkins APL Researchers Drive Innovation in 2024 JHU Discovery Awards

Seven projects funded by the 2024 JHU Discovery Awards program leverage the expertise of APL scientists and engineers, including four APL-led initiatives covering challenges in areas such as climate adaptation and DNA-based 3D bioprinting.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Researchers Drive Innovation in 2024 JHU Discovery Awards
Workshop participants who attended in person gathered on APL’s campus for a group photo.
News

Jul 25, 2024

Unveiling the Nation’s Bold Strategy to Advance Environmental DNA: Key Workshop Takeaways

Over 250 scientists, practitioners and policymakers recently gathered on Johns Hopkins APL’s campus for the Third National Workshop on Marine Environmental DNA to launch a new federal aquatic eDNA National Strategy, discuss state-of-the-art eDNA science, and identify implementation opportunities that will realize the full potential of eDNA as a tool to monitor aquatic ecosystems.
Learn more about Unveiling the Nation’s Bold Strategy to Advance Environmental DNA: Key Workshop Takeaways
Floating arctic ice
Feature Story

May 21, 2024

Into Vanishing Ice

The melting Arctic is creating new trade, economic and operational opportunities — but also new challenges that could threaten the U.S. border and the region’s fragile ecosystem. Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL are pooling their expertise and established experience in materials, modeling, AI and sensing to develop the technology and knowledge for a sustainable and lasting foothold in this rapidly changing region.
Learn more about Into Vanishing Ice

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