The Hidden Threat: How War Pollutes Our Planet
When we think about the impact of war, we often think of lives lost, communities displaced, and economies destabilized. But one of the most far-reaching and underreported casualties of militarism is the planet itself. The U.S. military is not only the largest military force in the world—it is also one of the largest institutional polluters. And yet, its role in accelerating climate change and environmental degradation is rarely part of the public discourse around national security.
A Carbon Footprint Bigger Than 140 Countries
According to a 2019 study from Brown University’s Costs of War project, the U.S. Department of Defense emits more greenhouse gases than many industrialized nations—more than Portugal, Sweden, or Denmark. If the U.S. military were a country, it would rank as the 47th largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world.
Much of this pollution stems from the military’s dependence on fossil fuels. Aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and logistical supply chains consume vast quantities of jet fuel and diesel. For example, a single B-52 bomber consumes around 12,000 gallons of fuel per hour. And during wartime, fuel usage skyrockets, as seen in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which required immense logistical operations and airstrikes.
Permanent War Means Permanent Pollution
The environmental toll doesn’t stop at emissions. The construction and maintenance of over 800 U.S. military bases worldwide come with ecological consequences: deforestation, water contamination, noise pollution, and disruption of local ecosystems. In places like Okinawa, Japan, and the island of Guam, communities have long protested the military’s environmental footprint, citing toxic waste, damaged coral reefs, and poisoned drinking water.
The use of toxic chemicals like PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—commonly found in firefighting foam used on bases, has contaminated groundwater supplies across the United States. The Department of Defense has identified over 700 military sites with known or suspected PFAS contamination, affecting not only soldiers and their families but surrounding civilian populations as well.
Climate Change as a Conflict Multiplier
Ironically, while the military contributes significantly to climate change, it also plans extensively for the instability that climate change causes. The Pentagon has identified climate change as a “threat multiplier,” acknowledging that rising sea levels, droughts, and extreme weather events will increase the likelihood of future conflicts.
But instead of addressing the root causes of environmental collapse, the military’s response is to arm up—preparing for climate-driven wars and global instability with more weapons, more surveillance, and more fortified borders. This militarized response diverts resources away from civilian-led climate solutions, clean energy investment, and global cooperation.
Militarism Undermines Climate Justice
It is no coincidence that communities most impacted by military activity—both abroad and at home—are often Indigenous, Black, Brown, and low-income. From the Navajo Nation’s uranium contamination to the toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, militarism consistently violates environmental justice.
True climate justice requires demilitarization. It requires reallocating the billions currently spent on weapons and war toward investments in clean energy, disaster resilience, public health, and sustainable infrastructure. The military’s environmental impact is not a side issue—it is central to both the climate crisis and the struggle for a just and peaceful world.
A Call for Peace and Planet
If we are serious about combating climate change, we must be willing to confront the role of the U.S. military in fueling it. Peace and sustainability are not separate goals—they are deeply intertwined. A livable future depends not just on reducing our carbon footprint, but on reimagining what we mean by security.
Security is clean water, breathable air, and habitable land. Security is food sovereignty, global cooperation, and economic equity. Security is not more fighter jets or overseas bases—it is a healthy, thriving planet for generations to come.
