Military emissions from wars go unaccounted, deepening climate and humanitarian crises globally.
Original framing: “Wars destroy lives and the climate. Why aren’t we counting military emissions?” — The Conversation - Global
Historically, war has been a major driver of environmental change, from the deforestation caused by ancient empires to the industrial pollution of modern warfare. The lack of historical continuity in climate accounting reflects a selective memory that benefits powerful actors.
The failure to account for military emissions reflects a deeper systemic blind spot in global climate governance.
By excluding war from climate discourse, powerful actors avoid responsibility for environmental harm, while marginalized communities bear the brunt of the consequences. Integrating indigenous knowledge, scientific evidence, and cross-cultural perspectives can help reframe war as a climate issue and support more just and sustainable solutions. Historical precedents show that when environmental costs of conflict are made visible, public pressure can shift policy. Legal and institutional reforms are needed to ensure that military emissions are tracked, reported, and addressed in climate policy.