Guam and the Practical Impact of Climate Change

Peter Zeihan 5 min

Guam is the premier American leaping off point for pretty much all of Asia, but a super typhoon is striking it now and there is nothing else around. There's no really other place to plant a flag and project power from.

Chapters

  1. 0:00

    Weather vs Climate

    Distinguishing between immediate weather conditions and broad long-term climate bands. A super typhoon is currently striking the Mariana Islands where U.S. military facilities are located.

  2. 0:43

    Guam's Unique Military Role

    Guam serves as the premier American leaping off point for pretty much all of Asia. The base has reduced operations to emergency services due to the extreme storm intensity. This is the second super typhoon that has hit it in seven years.

  3. 2:28

    El Niño Amplification

    An extreme El Niño event triples the chances of typhoons hitting the Central Pacific. There is nothing else around to replace Guam for projecting power in the region. It may be about having to abandon the Guam facility and finding a different way.

Key points

  • 0:00

    Weather is what's happening to you right now or tomorrow.

  • 0:00

    Climate are broad bands.

  • 0:43

    Guam is the premier American leaping off point for pretty much all of Asia.

  • 0:43

    The Chinese might be able to hit it with a missile, but that's not the same as being able to do an easy amphibious landing.

  • 0:43

    They've reduced themselves to what they call emergency services.

  • 0:43

    This is the second super typhoon that has hit it in seven years.

  • 2:28

    Your chances of getting hit by a typhoon roughly triple.

  • 2:28

    There is nothing else around.

  • 2:28

    It may be about having to abandon the Guam facility.

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