Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders argued that climate change is a bigger threat to the world than terrorism during Saturday night's Democratic presidential debate.

When pressed by CBS's John Dickerson, Sanders doubled down on the claim, saying that, in fact, climate change is "directly related to the growth of terrorism" across the globe, pointing to limited amounts of water.

"Absolutely," Sanders said when asked if he still believed climate change was a bigger threat. "In fact, climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism."

"[I]f we do not get our act together and listen to what the scientists say, you're going to see countries all over the world — this is this is what the CIA says — they're going to be struggling over limited amounts of water, limited amounts of land to grow their crops and you're going to see all kinds of international conflict," Sanders said. "But, of course, international terrorism is a major issue that we have got to address today. And I agree with much of what the secretary and the governor have said."

Sanders previously made the claim about climate change being a national security issue during the October debate.

"The scientific community is telling us if we do not address the global crisis of climate change, transform our energy system away from fossil fuel to sustainable energy, the planet that we're going to be leaving our kids and our grandchildren may well not be habitable," Sanders said at the time.

The Vermont socialist made the remark a day after the brutal terrorist attack on Paris, which killed 129 and injured 350, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility.