Climate and War: Understanding the Intersection of the Military Sector and the Climate & Nature Crisis

This episode delves into the challenging topic of carbon emissions and other environmental impacts of peacetime and wartime military activities. From the impact of burning fossils fuels, construction of military bases and the use of concrete, a high carbon-emitter material, in the construction of military bases as well as defensive and offensive structures. The discussion with Dr Benjamin Neimark, Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, is wide-ranging and urgent, particularly in the face of hot wars in Ukraine and the Gaza, Sudan and Congo genocides. Dr Neimark discusses his work in the wider context of the lack of mandatory carbon emissions reporting by the military sector to the IPCC, and the ambitious goal of his team to bridge the military emissions data gap. The ultimate hope is to encourage and foster diverse coalitions between the climate & environmental, social justice and peace movements.

Links & Mentions:

Dr Benjamin Neimark on Linkedin

National Security and Climate Change: Behind the U.S. Pursuit of Military Exemptions to the Kyoto Protocol

Resolution (1997) regarding the conditions for the United States becoming a signatory to any international agreement on greenhouse gas emissions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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In episode 39 of the 'If I Ruled The World' podcast, host Gillian Burke records an impromptu episode as she engages in a raw and heartfelt discussion with ocean activist Cal Major.

Responding to an Instagram post about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the escalation of war in the Middle East in general, Cal Major opens up about her feelings of helplessness and the challenges of speaking out.

Together, they explore why the nature & environmental sector remains largely silent on issues of war, the interconnectedness of environmental destruction and military conflict and more nuanced barriers to activism and anti-war campaigning.

This candid conversation hopes to inspire more people to speak up and make meaningful connections between human rights and environmental advocacy.

Mentions:

Our Ocean Podcast | with Cal Major

Seaful UK Charity | Protect What You Love

Anti-war protest | London's largest ever protest

Chilcot Inquiry Report

The US military and the myth that humans are predisposed to violence

Gaza | The most intense bombardments in history

Zeteo news

Breaking Points

The Israel-Palestine Report

Declassified UK

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Unpacking Modern Capitalism: From Gaza to Global Inequality

A deeply introspective and wide-ranging discussion, that explores environmentalism, climate activism, and critiques of capitalism. The conversation dives into the historical context of the Gaza conflict, the inherent authoritarianism in capitalism, and systemic inequalities it inevitably creates positing that socialism is now true democracy. Grace asserts the need for community and collective action being necessary to support the revolutionary change, the challenges faced by those pushing against the status quo, and the potential for revolutionary change fuelled by grassroots movements.

Links & Mentions:

https://graceblakeley.co.uk/

Ellen Mieksin Wood Prize

Tony Benn - The Benn Legacy

Pierre Bourdieu (Habitus)

Salvador Allende: The U.S. set the stage for a coup in Chile.

Pinochet's human rights abuses.

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