Military emissions excluded from climate policy: Systemic gaps in global climate governance
Original framing: “Wars destroy lives and the climate. Why aren't we counting military emissions?” — Phys.org
The exclusion of military emissions from climate policy is not new. During the Cold War, nuclear testing and arms production were similarly ignored in environmental assessments. This historical pattern reflects a persistent failure to hold powerful states accountable for climate impacts tied to national security priorities.
The exclusion of military emissions from climate policy is a systemic failure rooted in geopolitical power, institutional inertia, and the normalization of militarism.
Indigenous and cross-cultural perspectives reveal the moral and spiritual dimensions of this issue, while scientific evidence underscores its urgency. Historical patterns show that this exclusion is not accidental but structural, serving the interests of powerful states and defense industries. To achieve climate justice, we must integrate military emissions into international agreements, support marginalized voices, and reframe war as a climate crisis. This requires not only policy reform but a cultural shift in how we understand the relationship between violence and the environment.