The Environment is an Anti-War Issue

Speech given by Meredith Aby-Keirstead, member of the Anti-War Committee, at the Earth Day 2022 protest

The Anti-War Committee stands with all of you today because we cannot stop climate change without taking on U.S. militarism. Most people don’t know, but the U.S. military is a major polluter. The U.S. military emits more CO2 than entire countries like Portugal and Denmark, and the Department of Defense accounts for nearly 80% of the US federal government’s fuel consumption.  Our movements’ issues are deeply connected and we are here today to march with you.  

While I am happy to be here again on Earth Day with the Climate Justice Committee,  I am also frustrated that since last year we haven’t made the progress that we so desperately need to stop climate change.  

The Economist, which is a very conservative source, in its IPCC report coverage in April agreed that oil use must drop by 60% and gas by 45% by 2050 in order to achieve the 1.5 degree Paris goal.   They say “there is no room for new unabated fossil fuel projects”.  That sounds like shutting down Line 3 to me!  That sounds like shutting down Line 5!  

In order to meet these targets – set by scientists based on data – we need a radical new shift in priorities in this country.  And those new priorities need to include a change in how we think about militarism.  

Many scientists argue that militaries and their supporting industries account for more  CO2 than civilian aviation and shipping combined.  But it’s hard for the scientific community to get the attention we need for this because militaries are one of the only highly polluting industries whose emissions do NOT need to be reported to the United Nations – thanks to the US who in 1997 won a blanket military exemption under the Kyoto climate accord.   Does that sound like the type of “leadership” we want?  NO.

We need to march together and grow the environmental rights movement and increase the demands on all levels of government – local, state and federal – so we can save the planet!  Our children and our future depend on it!  

No wars for oil! Keep it in the soil!