How Climate Change Fuels Global Conflicts: Insights from The Express Tribune

Conflict is complex and can take many forms, from wars between countries to violence within communities. Often, marginalized groups, such as ethnic and religious minorities, suffer the most during these times.

Conflicts don’t just disrupt lives; they have serious social and economic consequences. They also harm the environment. Wars produce pollution, destroy habitats, deplete natural resources, and contribute to climate change. Surprisingly, these environmental impacts are often overlooked.

For instance, during the first two years of Russia’s war with Ukraine, millions of tons of carbon emissions were released. Military operations consume vast amounts of fuel, destroying oil and gas infrastructure, while forests and fields are set ablaze. This destruction leads to greenhouse gas emissions and loss of wildlife habitats.

Cleaning up after conflicts is also costly. Researchers at Queen Mary University in London estimate that cleaning debris and rebuilding Gaza after recent conflicts will create emissions equivalent to more than 135 countries’ annual output. This means the entire world will bear the long-term carbon costs of these wars, affecting climate stability far beyond their borders.

Conflicts also introduce toxic pollutants that create lasting harm to people and the environment. For example, the use of Agent Orange by U.S. troops in Vietnam resulted in long-term health issues for millions and significant ecological damage. Currently, the destruction of wastewater treatment plants in Gaza is contaminating coastal waters, while deforestation due to the civil war in Sudan is threatening both local communities and wildlife.

Despite these dire realities, militaries, including that of the U.S., focus mainly on enhancing their operational capabilities instead of reducing their environmental footprint. The U.S. Department of Defense acknowledges that climate change can worsen security issues, yet little action is taken to address the military’s pollution.

In a world where climate change is often denied or ignored, it’s unlikely more nations will address these environmental issues. Many leaders are moving away from commitments to combat climate change, even as financial resources to tackle related problems dwindle. Ironically, this lack of funding can lead to more conflicts, further worsening climate change.

The cycle of conflict and environmental degradation is ongoing, and unless we draw attention to these hidden impacts, both people and the planet will continue to suffer.

Check out this related article: Urgent Concerns: How Trump’s Deep-Sea Mining Order Could Threaten Fragile Ecosystems