How global wars are violently escalating Earth's climate crisis
Global conflicts are intensifying Earth's climate crisis, with wars leaving indelible scars on ecosystems through poisoned air, ravaged landscapes, and destabilized natural systems.From the oil infernos of 1990s Kuwait to Ukraine's flooded habitats and Gaza's ecocide, armed conflicts have become accelerants of environmental collapse, compounding the planet's climate emergencies.During the 1991 Gulf War, Iraqi forces torched 700 oil wells, creating a toxic legacy still haunting the nation. While fires were extinguished within months, soil and air pollution persist, destroying 99% of Kuwait's freshwater lakes and contaminating aquifers.advertisement
Israel's 2023–24 offensive generated 39 million tonnes of debris—107 kg per square meter—releasing heavy metals into soils and destroying 80% of vegetative cover.
The planet's fate hinges on redefining security beyond artillery stockpiles to ecological preservation. (Photo: AFP)
Over two-thirds of farmland, including olive groves and greenhouses, was obliterated, while the Wadi Gaza wetland suffered irreversible damage, risking long-term desertification.The 2023 Kakhovka dam breach in Ukraine flooded half a million hectares, dispersing landmines, oil, and waste into the Dnipro Delta and Black Sea. This ecological disaster contaminated 1,000 sites, threatening biodiversity and agricultural livelihoods.Militaries as Climate CulpritsGlobal militaries account for 5.5% of greenhouse gas emissions—surpassing aviation and shipping combined. The US Department of Defense alone contributes 1% of national emissions, while conflict zones see surges in fossil fuel use for tanks, jets, and troop movements.advertisementPost-war reconstruction further strains climate goals, with Gaza's rubble containing 15 million tonnes of CO-intensive concrete. The UN Environment Programme notes that 40% of modern conflicts link to natural resource disputes, yet military emissions remain excluded from global climate accords. Environmental peacebuilding initiatives advocate for:Ecocide recognition: Classifying large-scale environmental destruction as an international crime.Transparency mandates: Requiring militaries to disclose emissions data under UNFCCC frameworks.Green reparations: Allocating 20% of post-conflict funds to ecosystem restoration, as proposed by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Israel's 2023–24 offensive generated 39 million tonnes of debris. (Photo: AFP)
As India's G20 motto Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family) gains traction, experts urge integrating climate diplomacy with disarmament talks.With global military spending hitting $2.4 trillion in 2024—diverting resources from renewable transitions—the planet's fate hinges on redefining security beyond artillery stockpiles to ecological preservation.'The environment isn't merely war's collateral damage—it's a strategic frontline,' warns UNEP's 2024 report. Without binding treaties to curb martial environmental harms, climate targets risk becoming another casualty of humanity's oldest conflict.Must Watch
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