The paradoxical role of the military-industrial complex in the climate crisis.

The paradox between the unconscionable environmental impact attached to the military-industrial complex and the increased military intervention that will occur due to instability and insecurity from the climate crisis is an ironic mess. Especially considering the amount of money put into military spending (globally 1.74 trillion USD per year), that the US military is a bigger polluter than 140 countries in total, and the Pentagon is the single largest organizational user of petroleum. One US military jet consumes per hour the same amount of petroleum as a car consumes in 7 years. And get this, military GHG emissions are excluded from the national GHG emission inventory within the Paris Agreement. Let’s be honest, it is perverse and terrifying. All while our governing bodies claim we do not have the resources and/or know-how to combat the climate crisis at the scale necessary. Many Global North countries made this mess, and we, as citizens of these countries, have enjoyed the ‘fruits’ (admittedly, not everyone) - an outcome very much attached to our military dominance. These nations have the responsibility to lead the way in cleaning it up. Seemingly, this isn’t going to happen anytime soon based on the direction of politics in many of these countries (and Trudeau’s policy around tar sand oil that continues to infuriate). Let’s get back to the military-industrial complex: it is essential to make the distinction between the military as an industry and the protection of nation-states. I am not suggesting we don’t need military spending – perhaps in a perfect world – but while I’m a pacifist and no nationalist, I’m also a realist about the current state of the world. However, the military-industrial complex is another beast in and of itself. Military corporations, such as Lockheed Martin (US) and Elbit (Israel), have taken the wheel in global weapon and security manufacturing, sales, and policymaking. Yes, those that make the weapons are very much involved in the legislative process – sound familiar? And the industry is not just about wars abroad; it is also present in the militarization of police forces and the increased surveillance of citizens within your borders. While, not so ironically, for the US, much of our military presence abroad is in place to protect access to resources that fuel our excessively consumptive lifestyles. At the same time, as resources, such as food and water, are further impacted by climate change, this instability will likely bring rise to military interventions. This all seems too big to conquer. Here are a few things we can do: (1) Demand solidarity instead of security; (2) Open our borders, communities, and homes to climate refugees and all refugees; (3) and hold our police force accountable for their military-like behavior.