Raytheon Sees Potential Boost For Military Tech Sales In Climate Collapse, Drought, Destabilization

[hatrack]

EDIT

So it's particularly striking that these very same climate-induced disasters could also have a financial upside for Raytheon. Like many other companies, Raytheon regularly submits information to the non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project about its carbon reduction efforts and how climate change could affect its business. In response to a question about climate-related opportunities, Raytheon wrote [registration required] last year that "expanded business opportunities are likely to arise as consumer behaviour and needs change in response to climate change."

What kind of business opportunities? Raytheon cites its renewable energy technologies, weather-prediction products, and emergency response equipment for natural disasters. But the company also expects to see "demand for its military products and services as security concerns may arise as results of droughts, floods, and storm events occur as a result of climate change." The document says that these extreme weather conditions could have "destabilizing effects" and that on an international level, "climate change may cause humanitarian disasters, contribute to political violence, and undermine weak governments":

Recent actions and statements by members of Congress, members of the UN Security Council, and U.S. military officers have drawn attention to the consequences of climate change, including the destabilizing effects of storms, droughts, and floods. Domestically, the effects of climate change could overwhelm disaster-response capabilities. Internationally, climate change may cause humanitarian disasters, contribute to political violence, and undermine weak governments. Customers' needs are changing as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy where energy efficiency, renewable energy, and highly efficiently energy delivery becomes paramount. Expanded business opportunities will arise to Raytheon as a result of these security concerns and the possible consequences.


Raytheon says in the document that these opportunities are "very likely" to occur six to 10 years down the road, but the company doesn't specify which military products in particular it thinks could become more popular. Jon Kasle, a Raytheon spokesperson, declined to elaborate on specific, future business opportunities, citing "competitive and other reasons." Kasle did highlight Raytheon's work on the Joint Polar Satellite System—a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration program to monitor environmental and weather conditions. In addition, Kasle cited a mobile air traffic control system, recently purchased by the US Air Force, that he noted "could be used in humanitarian missions such as supporting recovery from a hurricane, flood or other natural disaster." Raytheon's website suggests it could be useful on a "remote battlefield," as well.

EDIT

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/08/raytheon-climate-change-security

[Demeter]

1. Yeah, they would

I worked for that company, fresh out of engineering school...hated it, too. First excuse, I left.

[newfie11]

2. Vulture

Looking forward to others misery so they can profit.

[wtmusic]

5. That pretty much sums it up.

[hatrack]

7. Grifters gotta grift, sharks gotta bite . . .

Just doing what they do.

[abelenkpe]

3. ...

ah capitalism...

[pscot]

4. What? You thought we wouldn't

fight among the ruins?

[phantom power]

6. the four horsemen, they're a team

[grasswire]

8. chaos capitalism

Of course they do.

[caraher]

9. Still, I think this provides a good smackdown against climate "skeptics"

For those with a certain kind of RW mindset, who think climate scientists are in cahoots with Al Gore in getting filthy rich off the global warming hoax, it can be useful to point out that very "hard nosed" organizations like Raytheon and the Pentagon are taking it as fact and putting serious money and resources into facing challenges (in their own way, not necessarily the way we'd like to see!).