War doesn’t just reshape borders and lives, it reshapes the planet itself. From the carbon footprint of military industries to the scorched landscapes left by conflict, the machinery of war is deeply entangled with the accelerating climate crisis. Militarism drives some of the world’s highest emissions, while the environmental devastation of conflict, poisoned water, razed ecosystems, displaced communities, undermines the very resilience needed to face a warming world. Understanding this intersection isn’t optional, it’s essential for any honest conversation about climate justice and the future we hope to build.

At Climate Commons, we believe that confronting the climate emergency requires looking squarely at every system that fuels it, including those often treated as untouchable. Our mission is to make the connections between war, militarism, and environmental harm visible, accessible, and grounded in evidence. We do this because climate justice cannot be separated from peace, human rights, or the protection of ecosystems. Naming these intersections is necessary if we hope to build a future where security is measured not by military strength, but by the health and stability of our shared planet.

Read the CCC Response to the Israel-Gaza Conflict

War and Climate Reading Group:

In order to learn more about the complex and urgent relationship between militarism and climate crisis, the Climate Commons is convening a reading group on the topic of War and Climate.
We’re holding the first meeting of our War and Climate reading group on the afternoon of Monday, July 13 to discuss Andreas Malm’s The Destruction of Palestine is the Destruction of the Earth.  (This is the shorter version of his book of the same title, published by Verso in 2024). You may either chose to read the first long chapter of the book or the above Verso blog post which is essentially identical to the first chapter of the book.
If you’d like to join for this first in-person session or have any questions at all about the reading group please contact Franny Nudelman (frannynudelman@cunet.carleton.ca) or Emma D’Amico (emmadamico@cmail.carleton.ca)

Resources:

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