I am pleased to forward the final report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Trends and Implications of Climate Change on National and International Security. The report offers important considerations for the Department of Defense related to this subject. The task force examined the implications of climate change from a global perspective, with a special focus on the African continent, and makes recommendations that can improve the U.S. approach to addressing the many challenges of climate change. First, they identified a need for a strong climate information system database, managed by the Department of Defense. Second, the task force recommends a whole of government approach to mitigating the effects of climate change and highlights the importance of engaging with international leaders in identifying global solutions. Climate change will only grow in concern for the United States and its security interests. This report offers guidance to the Department of Defense on how to become a leader in mitigating and adapting to its growing effects. I endorse all of the study recommendations and urge you to adopt them into your operations.