Wars have always been part of human history. War has many costs. They kill, injure, and disable people. Major trauma and mental problems in survivors. Nature is not forgotten in all the chaos. We know from history how many natural ecosystems have been destroyed by wars, often irreversibly. Many countries’ militaries have already accepted the reality of climate change and that they must act accordingly. Each military’s role is to protect their country from any possible harm. This should also include climate change. Nature must be included in the protection.
Wars are a part and parcel of human history. The First warIn 2700 BCE, the first ever recorded incident occurred between Sumer (now Elam) There have been hundreds of other events since then, ranging from religious and economic to defense and revolution.
The military provides security and defense for a country. However, that security comes with a price for the environment. The military is one of most energy-intensive parts in the world. David Petraeus (retired US army general, former CIA director) stated it in 2011 Our warfighting capabilities depend on energy as their lifeblood.. Major energy is required for war efforts and military operations. It is mostly derived from fossil-fuels.
Armaments and the MilitaryBoth do not appear in Paris Climate AgreementThey are not required to report to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on any climate-related progress they make.
The environmental consequences of war start long before the war even begins. Building and maintaining military forces requires vast amounts of natural resources. Conflict can cause destruction of ecosystems, including the loss of species, and creates new threats. Potential for invasive species. Other major environmental impacts include deforestation and waste dumping, soil poisoning, crop destruction, and the loss or extinction of animals. The worst part is that wars do not end with a signed accord between the fighting countries. Many regions affected by war will not recover for decades. This makes it difficult for people to fight for a better existence with limited resources and a damaged environment.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Military
The US Department of Defense is the worldssinglelargestThey are the largest oil consumer institution, making them one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in the world. The energy required to power military vehicles, aircrafts and ships, as well as buildings, is usually oil. All heavy-duty machines emit much more carbon dioxide (CO2) The 2017 US Air Force used Fuel worth USD$4.9 billion In the same year, the US military was also responsible for 59 million tonnes of CO2equivalent to the total emissions of some industrialized countries like Sweden or Switzerland. According to Oil Change International, the Iraq War alone is believed to have produced approximately $2.5 billion in new oil. In four years, 141 million tonnes CO2The equivalent of 25 million more car exhaust is being emitted each year.
Similar in the United Kingdom. Emissions from its military operationsThey account for nearly half of all UK’s global warming emissions. This highlights their significant, but often overlooked, role in global warming.
The military leaders recognize that climate change is real. We can feel the effects every day. During the White House climate summit 2021, a clear message was delivered. Lloyd J. Austin III, Retired four-star general in the United States Army, The climate crisis was described as Our world is being profoundly destabilized by this force, and called attention to the potential for widespread havoc.
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The Environment and the Costs of Wars
Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon once stated:The environment has been an important part of human life for a long time. Silent casualty of warArmed conflict. The environmental consequences of war are often extensive and devastating. These include soil contamination and destruction of forests, plunder of natural resources, and the collapse or reorganization of management systems.
The extent and nature of environmental impacts from wars depends on many factors such as the length and nature of the conflict, the weapons used and the size of the occupied area.
One example is Vietnam War (1955-1975). The rainforests of VietnamThe ideal conditions provided the perfect environment for Vietnamese soldiers to hide, while US soldiers didn’t know how to adapt or survive in them. This is why the US military became heavily dependent on defoliants between 1961 and 1971. They cleared forests to make it easier to see their enemies and to eliminate their source of food. Overall, 73 litres chemical substanceSpraying pesticides over forests to destroy rice production and crops was done. The effects of the spraying in Vietnam were devastating and are still being felt today. Nearly half of the mangroves, which are important carbon sinks for coastal protection, have been destroyed. The natural habitats in the Vietnamese forests that housed vulnerable species such as tigers and elephants, bears, leopards, and bears were irreversibly destroyed. The soil across the land has lost its nutrients, and is now prone to erosion. The ecosystem services that wildlife and humans depend on have been greatly reduced and are now very limited.
However, it is not just large-scale conflicts such the Vietnam War that cause environmental damage; any war can have long-lasting impacts. During the Rwandan civil War (1990-1994), approximately 750,000 refugees settled near the Virunga National park and used the environment for their daily needs. According to the statistics Nearly 1,000 tonsTwo years ago, two tons of wood were cut per day for home construction and cooking. A total of 105 km of forest was destroyed and another 35 km were bared in the aftermath of the conflict. These beautiful forests provided shelter for many. At least 190 speciesThere are 275 species of birds and 12 species primates. The Virunga National park was also home to the The largest hippos populationIn 1974, there were almost 30,000 people living in that area. The decline in wildlife poaching has led to a drop of just over 1,000 people.
What can be done?
It is impossible to avoid all wars and conflicts. However, there are ways we can reduce the military’s carbon footprint and impact on the environment. Lieutenant Richarch Nugee was a former British Army Officer who once stated, “Changing the way we operate across land and air domains is key to reducing our carbon footprint.” Defence will play its rolein the fight against climate changes.
The US Department of Defense, for example, finally recognized global warming in 2010 as a national threat and took steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The most notable example is 44% of their petrol-fueled vehiclesThey have been replaced with hybrid and electric cars. They have also installed large solar arrays to generate electricity. Accordingly, the Pentagon has announced that they have reduced petroleum use by 41%, and cut greenhouse gas emissions 23%, compared with 2005 levels.
Similar initiatives were launched by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. Climate Change and Sustainability StrategyThey aim to reduce carbon emissions and to use as much renewable energy as possible. This would help the UK become net zero by 2050. Its first goal is to reduce emissions from the built environment by no less than 30% by 2025.
Militaries around world are slowly adopting more sustainable practices. The US Army is the most notable example. Sustainability goalscan improve mission effectiveness, reduce their environmental impact and comply with federal sustainable mandates.
Switzerland, a country that is known for its neutrality and willingness to invest USD$705 Million in creating A carbon neutral military by 2020. They intend to eliminate all oil heating systems from military buildings by 2030 and replace them with renewables. Other measures include the improvement of self-produced electricity, all roofs and facades that can be fitted with photovoltaic system, and independence from foreign power suppliers. The Swiss Armed Forces plan to plant trees and support sustainability initiatives wherever possible. The Swiss Army is certainly not comparable in size to the US, Russia and China, but it is a start and sets a great example of how to emphasize sustainability priorities in the military department.
Global security is at risk from climate change. Every country must make it a priority to avoid any potential harm. It takes a lot of energy to build and maintain military forces. Only by gradually replacing fossil fuel-powered equipment, can we achieve military sustainability. Of course the ideal scenario would be for no war to ever again happen; wars only bring about destruction to the innocent people and to even more innocent a party – nature – which we depend highly upon. Wars are never worth starting, and H.G. Wells once stated: We will never end war if we don’t..