On Wednesday, May 10 at 19:30 GMT:
For years, climate activists have centered their work around stopping some of the world’s biggest polluters — from fossil fuel companies to the meat industry and industrial agriculture. And while they remain among the biggest contributors to the climate crisis, there is a lesser-known culprit that is often forgotten: the military.
Experts have pointed out that the US Department of Defense is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gaseswith the US military referred to as “one of the greatest climate polluters in history.” In fact, research suggests that if all the world’s armies were one country, they would be the world’s fourth largest emitter.
And beyond emissions from Humvees, fighter jets and tanks, modern warfare is having a devastating effect on the planet. From bombing to drone strikes, warfare creates greenhouse gas emissions, endangers geodiversity and can cause soil and air pollution.
In this episode of The Stream, we look at the magnitude of military emissions and whether a less militaristic society is not only good for people, but also for the planet.