How Wars Contribute to Climate Change and Pollution

Warfare and armed conflict have significant impacts on the environment and climate. Military activities release greenhouse gases and air pollutants, damage ecosystems, and contaminate land and water resources. The environmental consequences of war include short-term and long-term effects that undermine sustainable development and a clean environment.

Pollution due to harmful chemicals and trash is one of war's most serious effects on the environment. Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium are contaminated into the soil and water during armed conflicts by weapons like artillery shells, bombs, and land mines. For instance, to obliterate crops and forest cover throughout Vietnam during the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed more than 19 million gallons of herbicides and defoliants. These substances, particularly Agent Orange, had terrible impacts on the environment and were extremely harmful to human health. Iraqi soldiers fired Kuwaiti oil wells during the Gulf War in 1990, spewing large volumes of air pollution and causing oil spills that severely harmed the environment.

One of the most significant environmental impacts of war is the emission of greenhouse gases from fuel use in military vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment. For example, a single F-16 fighter jet emits over 43,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year from jet fuel combustion. Multiple fighter jets and other aircraft used in air strikes and aerial bombing campaigns release staggering amounts of carbon emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change. The US Department of Defense is one of the largest consumers of oil in the world, emitting more carbon dioxide than many entire nations. Ground vehicles used to transport troops and supplies also rely heavily on fossil fuels and emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other air pollutants.

Wartime destruction also damages infrastructure and ecosystems. Bombing of buildings, roads, and power plants releases toxic pollutants and chemicals into the air, water, and soil. Landmines and unexploded ordnance make land unusable and dangerous long after conflicts end. Forests and agricultural land are often burned or damaged, impacting biodiversity and food production. Water resources are also frequently targeted, damaging infrastructure for water delivery and treatment. Oil spills and leaks from bombed ships, vehicles, and refineries pollute oceans, rivers, and lakes, harming water quality and wildlife.

Land degradation is another major impact of war. The use of heavy artillery, bombs, land mines, and vehicle movements across terrain compress soil, damage vegetation, and alter landscapes. For example, the Korean War saw extensive deforestation and soil erosion from intense bombing and land mine campaigns. In some cases, the landscape is so heavily damaged that natural ecological succession is prevented even decades after the end of a war. The presence of land mines also renders land unsuitable for human use and poses risks to wildlife.

In addition to emissions and physical damage, military activities produce hazardous waste and pollutants that pose risks to public health and the environment. Weapons such as depleted uranium munitions, chemical agents, and biological weapons have the potential for long-term contamination. Storage and improper disposal of hazardous materials used in weapons manufacturing also threaten air, water, and soil quality. Pollution from waste incineration and open burn pits exposes people and ecosystems to dioxins, particulate matter, and other toxic substances.

In conclusion, while armed conflicts are often primarily viewed through a political or humanitarian lens, the environmental impacts of war are equally devastating and long-lasting. Urgent action needs to be taken to curb military emissions, develop sustainable technology and weapons systems, properly handle and dispose of hazardous materials, and protect ecosystems and natural resources during both war and peace. Without mitigation of these effects, the social and economic costs of environmental degradation from military activities will continue to accumulate for generations. Overall, wars severely damage the environment and accelerate the pace of climate change, with implications for national security and human well-being.