The Hidden Toll: How War Accelerates Our Climate Crisis

War is atrocious in and of itself; its devastating effects on human life and society should be reason enough for us to avoid it at all costs all the time. However, in an era where climate change already threatens global stability, modern warfare has emerged as a devastating multiplier of environmental destruction and displacement. 

The ongoing conflicts around the world provide a stark illustration of this deadly synthesis, where military activities are not just claiming human lives but rapidly accelerating environmental degradation. Consider Ukraine’s once-pristine forests: approximately 80% of woodlands in certain national parks now lie in ruins, devastated by relentless shelling and fires. This destruction extends far beyond immediate combat zones, creating lasting scars on vital ecosystems previously serving as crucial carbon sinks and biodiversity sanctuaries. 

The carbon footprint of modern warfare is equally alarming. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has released approximately 175 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere – equivalent to the annual emissions of 90 million cars—these military-induced emissions compound an already critical climate crisis, creating a vicious cycle. One just has to look at the Global Conflict Tracker (https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker)  to see that armed conflict is ongoing in many places worldwide, mainly in the global South. Some current wars have been ongoing since 1948, active despite falling off the news cycles. The current escalating tensions and polarization of the world anticipate this is nowhere close to an end.  

This environmental devastation is driving an unprecedented wave of human displacement. In 2022 alone, weather-related hazards forced nearly 32 million people from their homes, marking a 41% increase from 2008 levels. The European Parliament projects an even more sobering future: up to 1.2 billion people could become climate refugees by 2050 if current trends persist. 

The intersection of conflict and climate change creates a perfect storm of environmental and humanitarian challenges. It all becomes part of a vicious cycle that must eventually come to an end. There is no one-country solution to the global climate crisis; we need collaboration; we need all to come to the table and find solutions to amend the damages and create again a prosperous world for all to thrive regardless of where one lives. We need to bring attention to all the disastrous consequences of war; we need to raise our voices for those who can’t anymore and hope to bring about change for global peace and a thriving environment.

(Ana Celorio is a civil engineer specializing in project development. Completed her master's in International Development Administration from Western Michigan University. Aims to combine her humanitarian vision to create solutions that prioritize community needs and sustainable development.)