From International FOR:
The International Fellowship of Reconciliation, a spiritual based peace movement founded over a century ago to overcome war and the Culture of Violence and to implement a Culture of Peace, Justice and Truth through nonviolence, is pleased to invite all of you to join efforts to act for Climate. Living in justice includes protecting the Earth, which is the basis of life for all living beings.
Militarism Drives Climate Catastrophe
IFOR Global Day of Action is to focus on the field of militarism and the comprehensive war system and is made out of different initiatives which can be undertaken by individuals and groups and that are connected to #compassion #accountability and #change and rooted in nonviolence. War, production of armaments, militarization of the territory, military investment, security are some of the topics which can be addressed through in person, virtual, informal, institutional initiatives.
Climate change is connected to Peace issues, in particular this is evident in the field of armed conflict.
War has a direct impact on the ground, also causing destruction on the land, contamination, pollution and reducing or destroying crops, livestock farming and healthy water sources.
IFOR is now urging to put the spotlight on a significant aspect that has a global impact, and that is: “The environmentally and climate destructive effects of all activities in the military sector” and on the following demands:
1. Disclose the destructive impacts by the military based on hard facts,
2. Data collection and full transparency on the military’s carbon footprint,
3. Mandatory reporting of all military GHG emissions in line with the UN Framework Convention (Paris Agreement, 2015) in the respective national climate reports
4. Inclusion of military GHG emissions in further climate negotiations,
5. End war.
The production of weapons often requires the retrieval of often exploited resources and often involves waste products and pollution. The use of weapons itself has negative consequences for the environment. One of the most striking examples is nuclear weapons, the production, testing, storage and use of which pose a constant danger to humankind and the entire planet, to the point of devastating and irreparable consequences.
The militarisation of the territory and the actions of armed groups also cause devastation in the environment in which people live, leading to unbearable and harmful living conditions. In addition, many violent conflicts are generated to gain control over resources, often in resource-rich countries, usually in the global south.
Investment in armaments and the military is immoral both because it is an investment in the destruction of living beings and territory and because it displaces resources needed to protect and safeguard the environment and life on the planet. There are many urgent investments to prevent catastrophes and to repair the damage already caused, and as long as security is thought to be provided by the military, catastrophe will continue.
The security of individuals and of the planet that hosts us is determined by “care for our common home”, by respect for the environment and for resources, and by using them sparingly and not selfishly or in the interests of the few.
Nonviolence highlights the need for and usefulness of alternative choices to those of a Culture of Violence, choices that engage all social actors, choices aimed at preserving all forms of life and repairing forms of injustice and inequity among the inhabitants of the Earth.
Think, Plan, Act!
Register here your initiative and let people know about it and join you!
All initiatives will be posted on the IFOR dedicated web page and Facebook page to invite everyone to join in the Global Day of Action on Climate Catastrophe, right before COP26 starts in Glasgow, Scotland.
