The Links Between the Military, the Environment, and Human Security
This term describes how environmental degradation, such as water scarcity and desertification, can fuel conflicts and threaten national security.
What is environmental security?
The U.S. military is one of the largest emitters of this greenhouse gas, primarily due to its heavy reliance on fuel for aircraft, ships, and vehicles.
What is CO2 (carbon dioxide)?
This toxic heavy metal, used in military ammunition and armor-piercing rounds, has polluted soil and water in conflict zones and testing sites.
What is depleted uranium?
This was the first nuclear bomb used in war.
What is the atomic bomb Little Boy?
The government establishes regulations that hold the military accountable for environmental damage, while the military can implement these laws through sustainable practices.
What are partnerships?
The military is one of the largest institutional consumers of this resource, making its operations a significant contributor to climate change.
What is fossil fuel?
During the Cold War, military testing and production of these weapons left significant radioactive contamination across several U.S. states.
What are nuclear weapons?
The use of cluster bombs and landmines leaves behind these dangerous remnants that can persist in the environment for decades, harming ecosystems and communities.
What are unexploded ordnances (UXOs)?
This was the second nuclear bomb used in war.
What is the atomic bomb Fat Man?
Providing military personnel with training on environmental protection and pollution control can reduce the environmental footprint of military operations.
What is training and education?
This international agreement, aimed at addressing climate change, recognizes the role of peace and security in achieving sustainable development goals.
What is the Paris Agreement?
This type of military base activity has left many areas contaminated with hazardous chemicals, including jet fuel and toxic solvents.
What is base operations and maintenance?
Naval gunnery and bombing ranges have left significant pollution, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals, in these once-pristine coastal and ocean ecosystems.
What are marine environments or coral reefs?
These oil-related environmental disasters were caused by Iraqi forces setting fire to wells during the Gulf War.
What are oil well fires?
Organization to implement environmental policies.
What is NOAA?
This military initiative aims to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change by enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in its operations.
What is the Department of Defense Climate Adaptation Plan?
This fuel additive, banned for civilian use in the 1990s, continues to pollute soil and water near many military sites due to its historical use in aviation gasoline.
What is leaded gasoline?
The production and disposal of this category of incendiary weapons, including napalm, has left toxic residues in soils and water systems near military testing sites.
What are firebombs or incendiary weapons?
This herbicide, used by the U.S. during the Vietnam War, caused widespread soil and water contamination.
What is Agent Orange?
Implementing green technologies in military equipment, such as low-emission vehicles and alternative energy sources, can reduce pollution.
What is eco-friendly technologies?