Wars harm climate action because large militaries emit a lot and military spending diverts money away from tackling climate change
By Nick Buxton and Deborah Burton, Climate Change News
The failure of the richest countries to meet their 2009 commitment to provide $100 billion in climate finance to impoverished and climate vulnerable countries has long sowed distrust and hindered climate negotiations.

The broken promise is even more stark, given President Biden’s request to Congress this October for $105 billion additional funding to pay for Israel’s devastating war on Gaza and to support Ukraine against Russia.
Resources that never materialise to address the climate emergency seem to be easily available when it comes to supporting wars. As we approach the UN climate talks in Dubai, the impact of war and the military on the climate can no longer be ignored.
Big Emitters
The failure to assess the military contribution to climate change historically is partly deliberate.
The US government in 1997 said it would only sign the Kyoto agreement if the military were explicitly exempted from reporting and reducing emissions.
Recent Posts
‘Aggressive Step’ Toward Privatization As Trump Picks FedEx Board Member To Lead USPS
May 7, 2025
Take Action Now “It is a blatant conflict of interest and an attempt by President Trump to install a handpicked loyalist who he believes will…
India And Pakistan, Both Nuclear Powers, On The Brink Of War
May 7, 2025
Take Action Now India’s missile attack shows that managing an India-Pakistan crisis is easier said than done.By Syed Ali Zia Jaffery, Bulletin of…
Israel Is Attacking Aid Ships To Gaza With Impunity
May 7, 2025
Take Action Now What does it say about the state of Israel and its backers that it can get away with repeated attacks on aid shipments to Palestinian…
We Should All Get Ready For A May Day 2028 General Strike
May 6, 2025
Take Action Now If we’re going to build enough collective power to win universal healthcare and the right to retire with dignity, then we need to…