Humanitarian and Environmental Impacts of the War in Gaza: Increasing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Risk of Nuclear War

Apr 10, 2024 | International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
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The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza causes death, destruction, disease and hunger at a horrendous level. After 150 days, over 30,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed and many more have been maimed and injured, marking this conflict with the highest daily death rate in recent years. Within this turmoil are the less discussed, but vitally important, climate and other environmental effects of the conflict. Military operations remain an under-analysed dimension of the climate crisis that will intensify suffering on vulnerable communities as the impacts of global warming intensify. Reporting and reduction of military greenhouse gas emissions are already lacking during peace time, the effects of violent conflict on the climate are even harder to grasp while much more destructive. In the Israel-Palestine conflict, an additional humanitarian and environmental catastrophe looms in the event of a nuclear escalation. The presence of nuclear weapons in the region, the dehumanizing and violent rhetoric of the Netanyahu government and the potential for further escalation and chaos if other countries were to be involved make this a dangerous possibility. During the webinar Dr. Benjamin Neimark (Queen Mary University of London) will outline the climate effects of the Israel-Hamas war. He will present findings from the study "Multitemporal Snapshot of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Israel-Gaza Conflict" which he co-authored and give insights into the military emissions gap. Dr. Tim Takaro (IPPNW Board of Directors) will speak about Israel's nuclear weapons program, consequences of a nuclear escalation and possibilities for de-escalation and prevention. There will be room for discussion after the inputs. Please register here to receive the zoom link. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm CEST (Central European Summer Time) (please convert to your local time here).