How to assess the carbon footprint of a war

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Conversation or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Research highlights the significant, yet often overlooked, carbon emissions from military activities, especially during wartime
• For example, the US military alone contributes more greenhouse gas emissions than over 150 countries

🔭 The context: Calculating military carbon emissions can be challenging due to a lack of transparency
• Emissions stem not only from direct fuel consumption but also from indirect activities like weapons manufacturing and post-conflict reconstruction

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Understanding the full environmental impact of military actions is crucial, as these emissions contribute significantly to global warming

⏭️ What's next: Advocacy for transparent reporting of military emissions to international climate bodies is growing, highlighting the need for comprehensive environmental accountability in armed conflicts

📈 One stat: The carbon footprint of the first year of the war in Ukraine is estimated at 120 million tonnes of CO₂e, roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of Belgium

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