Meghan Hodges
The US military is one of the largest climate polluters in history, with a carbon footprint larger than any other institution on Earth. If the US military were a nation state, it would be the world's 47th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, producing more carbon dioxide than entire countries like Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Morocco, Peru, Hungary, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. The US military's contribution to climate change is largely overlooked due to the US government lobbying for an exemption from the Kyoto Protocol, which set binding emissions targets for signatory nations. The US military's vast infrastructure relies on a global network of trucks, cargo planes, and container ships, with the bulk of fuel consumed by weapons systems such as tanks, ships, and planes. The environmental impact of the US military extends beyond carbon emissions, with nuclear testing, rampant military expansion, and waste disposal affecting air quality, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the health of local populations.
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What You'll Learn
The US military's carbon emissions
The US military is one of the largest climate polluters in history, with a carbon footprint larger than any other institution on Earth. If the US military were a country, it would be the world's 47th largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG). The US military's carbon emissions are larger than those of entire countries, such as Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Morocco, Peru, Hungary, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. The Department of Defense accounts for nearly 80% of the federal government's fuel consumption and is the world's largest institutional consumer of petroleum.
There have been calls for reform and a shift towards peacebuilding and demilitarization to address the US military's contribution to climate change. Protests at COP26 targeted the US military's role in climate change, and civil society organizations have called on governments to commit to meaningful emissions reductions. The US military has acknowledged the impact of climate change but has yet to fully address its contributions.
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Military aviation emissions
The US military, in particular, has been identified as a major producer of greenhouse gases, with emissions exceeding those of entire countries like Denmark, Portugal, Morocco, Peru, Hungary, Finland, New Zealand, and Norway. Research has shown that since the beginning of the Global War on Terror in 2001, the US military has produced over 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases, with jet fuel consumption being a significant factor. The Department of Defense accounts for nearly 80% of the US federal government's fuel consumption, and the Pentagon would rank as the world's 55th largest CO2 emitter if it were a country.
The impact of military aviation emissions extends beyond carbon pollution. Aircraft engines release various gases and pollutants, including nitrous oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), water vapour, and particulate matter such as sulphate and soot. These emissions contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. For example, they can lead to the formation of persistent contrail cirrus clouds, which trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
Additionally, the use of alternative fuels in military aviation has been proposed, including biofuels, synthetic fuels, and nuclear reactors. However, these options come with their own ethical concerns and environmental challenges. Biofuels, for instance, compete for land with food crops, while nuclear reactors in conflict zones increase the risk of uncontrolled releases of radioactivity.
While the 2015 Paris Accords removed the exemption for military emissions established by the Kyoto Protocol, reporting and calculating military emissions are still left to individual countries. This has resulted in a gap in understanding the true climate impact of military activities. Nevertheless, it is clear that military aviation emissions are a significant contributor to global carbon pollution, and addressing this issue through peacebuilding, demilitarisation, and the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels and technologies is essential.
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The impact of war on the environment
The carbon emissions from military activities have serious environmental consequences. The burning of jet fuel and diesel by weapons systems such as tanks, ships, and planes contributes significantly to climate change. For example, the US military's F-35 aircraft burn 5,600 liters of fuel per hour, emitting almost 28 metric tons of carbon dioxide per flight. The impact of these emissions is long-lasting, with planes expected to remain in use until at least 2070.
War and military operations also have indirect effects on the environment. Conflicts can lead to fires at fossil fuel storage facilities, damage to forests and crops, and the release of toxic chemicals that contaminate water sources and soil. Additionally, the movement of refugees, healthcare needs, and post-conflict reconstruction further contribute to environmental degradation. The "war on terror" in Iraq and Afghanistan, for instance, resulted in the incineration of toxic waste, affecting ecosystems and the health of local populations.
Nuclear reactors in conflict zones also pose risks. Their presence increases the likelihood of uncontrolled releases of radioactivity, which can have devastating consequences for the environment and human health, as seen in the nuclear testing on the Marshall Islands, where residents were exposed to high levels of radiation.
Moreover, the pursuit of war and military expansion can divert resources and attention away from addressing pressing global issues, such as poverty, inequality, and climate disruption. This misplacement of focus can hinder progress towards a more sustainable and secure world. As the United Nations suggests, a shift from a 'national security' approach to one focused on 'human security' is necessary to effectively tackle these challenges.
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Nuclear testing and its consequences
The pursuit of peace is the most obvious alternative to waging war in a way that is less harmful to the environment. This has become more challenging since Russian troops invaded Ukraine, but it is still the best option. Research on historical military carbon emissions shows that periods of decreased military activity and disarmament can lead to significant reductions in emissions.
If the world's militaries were a single nation, their emissions would rank fourth, behind China, the USA, and India, but ahead of Russia and Japan. This suggests that there is a huge and largely unrecognized opportunity to reduce emissions by reducing the size of militaries, as governments have control over this.
The United Nations has urged governments and societies to shift their focus from "national security" to "human security," emphasizing peacebuilding and demilitarization as the most effective ways to address climate change.
Nuclear weapons tests have been conducted by the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, China, France, India, Pakistan, and North Korea. The United States has conducted the most tests, with 44% of all nuclear tests worldwide taking place in the Nevada desert.
Nuclear tests are often categorized by their purpose, such as weapons-related tests, weapons effects tests, and safety experiments. Underground nuclear testing has been the most common type of test, especially during the Cold War, due to the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 banning other forms of testing. While intended to be fully contained, these underground tests can occasionally vent to the surface, releasing radioactive debris.
The environmental and health consequences of nuclear testing are significant. Atmospheric nuclear tests conducted during 1951-1963 led to atmospheric contamination with radioactive isotopes, particularly 14C, 137Cs, 131I, and 133I, which were transferred to the biosphere through rainfall. This contamination has been linked to increased thyroid cancer rates, especially in the United States. French nuclear tests in Algeria from 1960 to 1966 also resulted in significant environmental contamination in North Africa, impacting the local population's health.
Nuclear testing has also contributed to seismic activity, creating subsidence craters, and the spread of radioactive fallout. The highest particles released during aboveground explosions can circulate in the atmosphere for years, gradually falling to Earth or brought down by precipitation. The Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 banned nuclear weapons tests in all environments except underground, and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty of 1996 aimed to discontinue all nuclear testing, but it has not been ratified by all countries.
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The role of militaries in climate change
The Department of Defense (DoD) is a major producer of greenhouse gases, with a significant portion of its emissions attributed to jet fuel consumption. The DoD's extensive infrastructure, including numerous bases and facilities worldwide, contributes to its high energy consumption and carbon footprint. The US military's global network of supply chains, transportation, and weapons systems, such as fighter jets, tanks, and ships, rely heavily on fossil fuels, particularly jet fuel and diesel.
The impact of the US military's carbon emissions is not limited to the atmosphere. Nuclear testing, waste disposal, and the use of toxic chemicals have contaminated soil, water sources, and ecosystems surrounding military bases, affecting biodiversity and the health of local populations. Additionally, the US military's vast infrastructure has resulted in land waste, with numerous abandoned military sites requiring special cleanup operations due to contamination.
Militaries worldwide contribute to carbon emissions, and their collective impact would rank them as the fourth-largest emitter, surpassing countries like Russia and Japan. However, the exact magnitude of military emissions is challenging to ascertain due to data sparsity and the lack of transparency in reporting. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol initially exempted militaries from reporting greenhouse gas emissions, and while the 2015 Paris Accords removed this exemption, reporting remains voluntary.
The link between militarism and climate change has led to calls for peacebuilding and demilitarization as effective measures to reduce carbon emissions. Advocates argue that shifting resources away from military spending and towards environmental protection and "human security" is crucial for tackling global climate disruption. While military budgets and arms races have intensified in response to global conflicts, recognizing the role of militaries in climate change is essential for implementing meaningful emissions reductions and protecting our planet.
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Frequently asked questions
The US military is one of the largest climate polluters in history, with a carbon footprint larger than any other institution on Earth. It emits more carbon dioxide than entire countries like Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Morocco, Peru, Hungary, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. If the US military were a nation-state, it would be the world's 47th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The US military has emitted more than 25,000 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide and produced more than 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases since the beginning of the Global War on Terror in 2001.
The US military's carbon pollution has contributed to heating the planet and is a significant factor in climate change. It has also led to the poisoning of air and water, affecting the health of local populations living around bases. The US military's nuclear testing and use of toxic chemicals have contaminated drinking water, aquifers, and soil surrounding bases.
The United Nations has argued for a shift from a "national security" approach to one focused on "human security," prioritizing peacebuilding and demilitarization activities. Reducing military budgets and pursuing disarmament can lead to major falls in carbon emissions. Additionally, militaries can transition to more sustainable fuel sources and increase transparency in reporting their emissions.
