2024-10-05 17:46:55
COP, i.e. Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, has long been considered a platform for solving global climate problems, without politics. However, from the moment Azerbaijan won the right to hold the COP, the attempts of Western countries to politicize this event began to be clearly seen. Western circles divert the attention of this conference from climate change and try to create narratives targeting the geopolitical situation and internal political processes of Azerbaijan in the region. The main force behind these efforts is a US-led process.
Being the organizer of global discussions on climate change, Azerbaijan has started to play an important role at the international level. The holding of COP29 in Baku is an indicator of the growing influence of Azerbaijan in the international arena. However, attempts to politicize this important global event are clearly visible. Western countries, especially the United States, are busy spreading slander about Azerbaijan’s geopolitical role in the region and internal politics, taking this measure beyond mere environmental issues. Many politicians, international organizations and media organizations are involved in this dirty campaign led by the US. The main goal is to distract attention from the climate debate and damage the international image of Azerbaijan.
Ironically, one of the world’s biggest polluters is the United States.
This country, which has fought the most wars in the world, produces oil and is the biggest “contributor” to global warming, is one of the countries that spends the least amount of money on the fight against climate change. Although the US military industry is responsible for environmental damage, it does not intend to take serious steps to combat climate change. While the world is waiting for more spending from the US and developed countries, Western circles are busy distracting. At the COP event, it is high time to discuss these issues and expose the hypocritical policy of the United States in this direction.
The role of military activities in the fight against climate change is often overlooked, although some estimates suggest that military forces contribute to the reduction of total emissions worldwide. 6% constitutes. This figure “Scientists for Global Responsibility” organization’s estimate, and shows that military emissions globally are greater than the impact of sea and air transport combined. However, there are serious drawbacks to obtaining more accurate statistical data. Paris AgreementUnder i, reporting on military industry emissions is voluntary, and many countries simply do not disclose this information.
According to experts, the largest source of military emissions is the US military. America’s of the Watson Institute according to reports, between 2001 and 2017, as a result of providing military operations around the world, approx 766 million tons carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Most of this amount is related to fuel consumption. US Armed Forces in 2017 59 million tons It has been one of the biggest contributors to climate change in the world with its CO₂ emissions. The impact of the US military on the climate is not only due to wars. of Lancaster and Durham universities joint research shows that the Pentagon as a single organization is the largest fossil fuel consuming structure in the world. The US Armed Forces have 750 military bases located in approximately 80 countries around the world, and the maintenance, operation, and logistics of these bases require large amounts of fuel. In this regard, the impact of the US military machine on the climate is unparalleled.
There is growing criticism of this issue in the US.
For example, Richard Heede, head of the Climate Accountability Institute said that the Pentagon is bypassing climate policy within its military policies. Heede says: “Military operations around the world are one of the main threats to climate change, but this issue is not highlighted enough on the political agenda.”
Military technologies and operations use high levels of energy and fuel. The US Army, whether it is the ground forces, the air force, or the navy, is equipped with fossil fuel-based equipment. Military tanks, warplanes, warships and vehicles are responsible for a large amount of emissions globally. Only one “B-52 Stratofortress” strategic bomber during its one-hour flight approx 12 tons of carbon dioxideproduces i.
The point is that these operations continue not only in times of war, but also in times of peace. For example, “The Guardian” According to the newspaper, the US military spends billions of liters of fuel per year to maintain its military bases and maintain logistics operations. This is not just about the US military; The British military, French military and other major powers have similar fuel consumption and emission figures.
International military exercises and cooperation are also accompanied by huge fuel and energy consumption. Joint exercises of NATO countries, international military missions and logistical support operations are factors that have a negative impact on climate change.
For example, held in Europe in 2021 “Defender Europe” In the military training, the US and European armies participated in the training with tens of thousands of military equipment, tanks and aircraft. Hundreds of thousands of liters of fuel were used for the organization of exercises, the transportation of equipment and the provision of ammunition. During all these operations, the assessment of the damage to the climate is often thrown into the background.
The U.S. military’s transition to renewable energy technologies and transitioning away from fossil fuels for logistics operations is cited as one of the top priorities.
For example, the Pentagon has been expanding the use of alternative energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines at some of its military bases for several years now. But these steps are still not enough, and much larger reforms are needed to address the impact of the military sector’s large-scale activities on climate change.
… The impact of military activities on global climate change is a not widely discussed but very important issue. The large energy demand and large-scale logistics operations of the armed forces have a serious impact on climate change around the world. The lack of accurate statistics of these emissions is due to the voluntary disclosure of these data in international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
Unless more serious measures are taken to address the ecological damage of large military forces such as the US military, it seems unlikely that much progress will be made in the fight against global climate change. It is necessary to take large-scale measures related to the expansion of the use of alternative energy sources and the modernization of military technologies in the army sector.
Increasing information about the impact of the military sector on climate change and providing more transparent reporting in this area should be one of the important steps for the world community. This is an important part of the steps taken not only to reduce the influence of the military sector on a global scale, but also to protect the future of our planet.
The military industry is one of the sectors most negatively affected by climate change. It is estimated that the military industry accounts for about 6% of global carbon emissions. However, this figure is likely to be much higher. Because it is difficult to collect real statistics of the military industry, many countries refuse to disclose these figures. In particular, the United States and other developed countries invest heavily in the production and export of weapons, which leads to the deepening of environmental disasters. Within the framework of the COP, it is important to discuss the damage caused by the military industry to the environment and to take measures to hold these countries accountable.
At major events like COP, other important issues that decide the fate of the world should be discussed. One of these issues is the continuation of neocolonialism in modern times. Today, many developing countries and nations are still suffering from the severe consequences of neocolonialism. Their natural resources are exploited, their rights are violated and their voices are not heard at the international level. At the COP event, a platform should be created for these peoples to voice their rightful demands. Wars waged by the West, illegal exploitation of natural resources and economic activities that cause natural disasters should be discussed, environmental injustices should be exposed.
The wars waged by Western countries, especially the United States, in different regions of the world cause not only human losses, but also environmental disasters. Wars in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa and other regions destroy the natural ecosystems of these areas, displace the population and create serious environmental problems. These wars lead not only to the development of the arms industry, but also to the destruction of natural resources. This issue should also be discussed within the framework of the COP and the global community should be informed about the impact of wars on the environment.
The COP29 meeting in Baku will focus not only on climate change discussions, but also on international experts criticizing the position of the West.
Attempts by Western countries to politicize climate change and weaken Azerbaijan’s position at this event are criticized by independent experts. The original goal of global events such as COP is to create global cooperation to solve climate problems, but the West’s use of this goal as a political tool has caused serious dissatisfaction. Therefore, it is important to study this topic extensively and listen to the opinion of experts.
The COP29 meeting in Baku is an important platform for discussing global climate issues, as well as an important opportunity to expose the policies of the West and oppose their use of environmental issues as a political tool. By hosting this great event, Azerbaijan will speak out at the international level and try to ensure that the global fight against climate change is fairer and more transparent. But as the West’s attempts to politicize climate discussions continue, it is necessary for Azerbaijan and other independent states to take serious steps to defend their position on this matter.