Wars Contribute Significantly to Global Carbon Emissions

Military operations worldwide, particularly by the US and Israel, are major contributors to carbon emissions, with wars turning humanitarian crises into environmental disasters, an article published on September 20 by Anadolu Agency revealed.

The US Defense Department, the largest fossil fuel user globally, has emitted 3.7 billion tons of CO2 equivalent from 1975 to 2018. Post-9/11 military actions have added 1.3 billion tons from 2001 to 2018 alone.

Recent conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Israeli attacks on Gaza, have further exacerbated emissions. Studies estimate that the first seven months of the Russia-Ukraine conflict resulted in at least 100 million tons of emissions, while Israeli operations in Gaza released up to 652,000 tons in just 120 days.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for action, particularly at the upcoming COP29 summit, to address the environmental impact of wars. Mona Rady from the UN highlights the necessity of rebuilding not just infrastructure but also the climate affected by ongoing conflicts.