Climate Crisis Drives Global Military Conflict, Emissions Surge

The intersection of war and climate change has become increasingly critical, with global military emissions contributing significantly to greenhouse gases—US military emissions alone would rank it as the 47th-largest emitter worldwide, underscoring the environmental cost of conflict. Violent conflicts also severely impact public health, as seen in Africa where exposure to violence reduces health-care visits and leads to poorer experiences, including disrespect and corruption within medical services. Humanitarian aid distribution reveals stark disparities, illustrated by Canada’s substantial $22 billion assistance to Ukraine contrasted with much smaller support for Sudan, the DRC, and Palestine, raising concerns about selective global priorities amid ongoing crises. The devastation of war on health infrastructure is painfully evident in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, where bombed hospitals, disrupted utilities, and lack of supplies hinder basic care, while rising global military spending threatens disarmament efforts and exacerbates insecurity. The growing acknowledgment of interconnected challenges has elevated the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health to foster resilience and address social vulnerabilities amid climate change, pandemics, and inequality. These perspectives collectively emphasize the urgent need to rethink war’s environmental, health, and humanitarian impacts in a world facing multifaceted crises.