The Bren Environmental Justice Club and UCSB Researchers Against War teamed up with Veterans for Peace on October 20 to tackle a tough topic: the connection between the U.S. military and the climate crisis. This discussion came on the heels of Abby Martin’s film “Earth’s Greatest Enemy,” which shines a light on the environmental impact of the U.S. militarization.
Speakers included Dr. Jim Rine, a veteran with Veterans for Peace, Dr. Summer Gray, an associate professor at UCSB, and Crystal Kim, a Ph.D. candidate in physics representing UCSB Researchers Against War. After their talks, the audience shared their thoughts on balancing national security with environmental responsibility.
Did you know the U.S. military has over 750 bases in about 80 countries? This makes it the largest military force in the world, consuming a staggering 56% of discretionary federal spending—around $872 billion for 2024. Surprisingly, militaries worldwide contribute about 5.5% of global carbon emissions, with the U.S. taking the lead. For comparison, civil aviation is responsible for just 2% of emissions.
The military’s impact extends beyond carbon footprints. Martin’s film shows how military activities can damage ecosystems, displace communities, and degrade air and water quality. This makes the military a significant player in the ongoing climate crisis.
Dr. Gray praised Martin’s film for flipping the narrative on who is responsible for climate change. Instead of individuals feeling guilty about their carbon footprints, Gray suggests the focus should shift to the military and big corporations profiting from military contracts. “The issue is structural,” she emphasized.
Attendees like Cindy Piester from Veterans for Peace commended the film for its bold visuals and its unflinching look at the military’s ecological harm.
Another topic of discussion was military funding for research, which is particularly relevant for UCSB students. According to Kim, UCSB receives the highest amount of funding from the top five military contractors in the UC system, primarily directed toward engineering. This relationship often blurs ethical lines, as university research can eventually lead to military technology.
For example, Kim pointed out that some materials developed by UCSB’s material science department are now used in military aircraft, like the F-35 fighter jets. “There’s this direct link between research done here and bombs being dropped elsewhere,” she noted.
Kim also highlighted how a lack of state funding for the UC system has pushed researchers to seek out military support. While institutions like Stanford and UCSC have seen some professors pledge not to engage in military-funded research, the numbers at UCSB are low—just 36 pledges.
Lenaya-Aiden Gonzales, a co-leader of the Bren Environmental Justice Club, stressed the importance of ongoing discussions about these issues. She encouraged students to stay curious and question what they read about military and climate issues.
Understanding these complex connections between the military and the environment is crucial. As society grapples with climate change, these conversations become increasingly important.
For more information on the military’s impact on the environment, you can check out the film “Earth’s Greatest Enemy” here.
By engaging in these discussions and staying informed, we can better understand our world and work toward a more sustainable future.
