The ongoing conflict involving the US-Israel alliance and Iran is having a severe impact on our climate. An analysis reveals that in just 14 days, emissions from this war exceeded those of 84 countries combined.
The fighting has led to immense destruction. Warplanes and missiles have decimated civilian infrastructure and caused extensive loss of life. In the first two weeks alone, the conflict generated approximately 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. This figure highlights the urgent reality of how war and fossil fuels intersect, underscoring a troubling trend: the conflict each day becomes a step toward a less stable planet.
Patrick Bigger, a climate research director, points out that every missile strike contributes to a worsening climate crisis. The devastation of oil facilities and civilian areas is a constant reminder that fossil fuels drive foreign policy, often to the detriment of our environment.
The analysis indicates that the war has devastated nearly 20,000 civilian buildings, leading to emissions of about 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Additionally, aircraft and support vehicles have consumed an estimated 150 to 270 million liters of fuel, contributing around 529,000 tonnes of emissions. One striking incident involved Israeli attacks on fuel storage, which created dark clouds of smoke over Tehran and burned millions of liters of oil, adding to emissions significantly.
In terms of military losses, the US has lost four aircraft, while Iran has lost 28. This destruction has generated about 172,000 tonnes of embodied carbon emissions. With each side launching thousands of missiles and drones, even the munitions themselves contributed about 55,000 tonnes of emissions.
In total, the conflict’s early weeks released over 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases—similar to emissions from an entire fossil fuel-dependent economy for a year, like Kuwait. As the fighting persists, the emissions are expected to rise significantly.
Fred Otu-Larbi, who led the study, warns that unless action is taken, emissions may shoot up rapidly as more oil infrastructure is targeted. The urgency is clear: the world cannot afford to disregard the long-term climate costs of this war.
Experts historically note that conflicts often lead to increased drilling and fossil fuel infrastructure, which may lock us into carbon dependency for generations. Bigger emphasizes that this war isn’t merely about security; it revolves around the politics of fossil fuels, impacting vulnerable communities worldwide, particularly in Iran.
As we confront these realities, we must consider how geopolitical actions affect our planet. The climate crisis demands our attention, and the consequences of warfare only compound the challenges ahead. For further insights, see this UN report on the impacts of war on climate.
