On October 20, the Bren Environmental Justice Club and UCSB Researchers Against War teamed up with Veterans for Peace to tackle a pressing issue: the impact of the U.S. military on the climate.
The event came shortly after the release of Abby Martin’s documentary, “Earth’s Greatest Enemy.” Three speakers shared their insights: Dr. Jim Rine, a veteran from Veterans for Peace; Dr. Summer Gray, an environmental studies professor at UCSB; and Crystal Kim, a physics Ph.D. candidate.
The discussion moved from their presentations to a broader dialogue about how national security can coexist with environmental concerns.
A striking fact shared was that the U.S. maintains over 750 military bases in at least 80 countries. This makes it the largest military force globally. The Department of Defense is allocated 56% of discretionary spending, totaling around $872 billion in 2024. It alone accounts for 40% of the world’s military expenditure.
According to the Climate and Community Project, militaries contribute about 5.5% of global emissions. Notably, the U.S. military is the single largest emitter, dwarfing the emissions from global civil aviation, which stands at only 2%. This raises serious questions about accountability and responsibility.
The environmental footprint of the military goes beyond carbon emissions. Martin’s film highlights how military activities also damage natural habitats and impact air and water quality.
Dr. Gray praised the film for shifting the focus from individual carbon footprints to the military and corporations that profit from military funding, emphasizing that this is a structural issue.
Veterans for Peace member Cindy Piester commended Martin for shedding light on an institution often shielded from scrutiny regarding its environmental effects.
The discussion also highlighted military funding in research, especially at UCSB. Kim pointed out that the university receives significant funding from top military contractors. Although this funding isn’t always for military innovations directly, research done can end up benefiting military technology.
Kim mentioned that at least two products developed at UCSB are used by the military, including materials for F-35 fighter jets. This creates a direct link between university research and military applications, raising ethical questions for researchers. The increased reliance on military funding has come in response to state disinvestment in the UC system, further complicating the matter.
While some researchers at universities like UCSB have signed pledges to avoid military funding, the numbers remain low. Only 36 pledges have been gathered at UCSB, with many researchers hesitant to limit their funding options.
Event organizers stressed the importance of ongoing conversations around these issues. Lenaya-Aiden Gonzales, a second-year environmental studies master’s student and co-leader of the Bren Environmental Justice Club, encouraged fellow students to remain inquisitive. She acknowledged her own military background while urging others to consider the complex and multifaceted nature of these topics.
As we face increasing climate challenges, discussions like this are vital. They help connect the dots between military operations, funding, and environmental responsibilities, pushing us to reflect on our role in this larger picture.
For more insights on military funding’s impact on research, visit the Climate and Community Project.
