Say No to War and Fossil Fuel

Climate Emergency Forum discusses the widespread nature of armed conflicts, which not only cause immediate destruction but also have long-lasting effects on climate and ecosystems from emissions and post-war reconstruction.

This video was recorded on June 19th, 2024, and published on July 14th, 2024, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.

There are over 100 active conflicts across various regions including the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. These conflicts have significant humanitarian and environmental impacts.

The conversation draws attention to the economic aspects of war, noting that global military expenditures have reached over $2 trillion annually. This is contrasted with the relative lack of funding for climate initiatives, with rich countries spending about 30 times more on their armed forces than on climate finance for vulnerable nations. The speakers argue that this imbalance in spending priorities exacerbates both conflict and climate issues.

Historical context is provided, suggesting that while warfare has been a part of human history, it is not an inevitable aspect of human nature. The speakers challenge the glorification of war and warriors in many societies, arguing that this cultural attitude perpetuates cycles of conflict. They also discuss the interconnectedness of war, fossil fuel interests, and climate change, pointing out that the global military would rank fourth in emissions if it were a country, falling between India and Russia.

The dialog concludes with reflections on the need to redirect resources and attention from military spending to addressing climate change and other global challenges. The speakers advocate for saying “no” to both war and fossil fuels, emphasizing the urgency of taking action on climate change and the importance of pursuing peaceful solutions to conflicts.

Links:

• No 1.5 Without Intervention (CEF Video)

• Climate Change Synthesis Report 2023: Summary for Policy Makers (pdf, p.24)

• Climate Collateral - How Military Spending Accelerates Climate Breakdown (pdf)

• Trends in World Military Expenditure 2023

• ‘Alarming lack of compliance’ with international law ramps up danger for civilians

• Casualties of the Israel-Hamas War

• Emissions from Israel’s war in Gaza have ‘immense’ effect on climate catastrophe

• More than 1000 people die at Hajj pilgrimage 2024 amid extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, AFP reports

• Too Hot to Handle (CEF Video)

• How big are global military carbon emissions?

• Global Humanitarian Overview 2023

Regular Panelists:

• Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute

• Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University

• Regina Valdez - Program Director, Climate Reality Project, NYC. GreenFaith Fellow and LEED Green Associate

Video Production:

• Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader

• Heidi Brault - Climate Reality Leader, BA(Psychology), Library & Information Technician Diploma - Video production and website assistant - Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP Team Lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.

Attributions:

Background Music:

• Title: Through the City II
• Author: Crowander
• Source: crowander.com

Image and Video:

• Image and Video Attributions