War and militarism have helped to cause the problem of climate breakdown. However, militaries, arms manufacturers and border security companies argue that they are part of the solution: that climate breakdown will make the world more dangerous and that therefore they should take a leading role in responding to it. This risks increasing militarisation, when we most need demilitarisation and greater international cooperation.
For example, we could see bigger budgets for the military when money is urgently needed for climate finance and for a just transition away from fossil fuels. And we could see more militarised borders to respond to forced migration, which would increase injustice for those least responsible for causing climate breakdown.
Background
Quakers believe that every human life is equally precious, and so seek equality and justice. Because of this, we think responding to climate breakdown in a way that seeks to preserve security and economic privilege for the few (and for those most responsible for causing the problem) is immoral.
It is also ineffective, because militarised responses try to 'keep a lid' on the symptoms of climate breakdown, when we can only tackle it by addressing its root causes. We see the historic and current economic system as driven by profit and extraction at the cost of human and natural life, and we want to work together to transform it rather than trying to preserve the status quo.
Militarised responses to climate breakdown are based on fear; on the assumption that it will inevitably lead to competition and violence. As a faith group, we feel it is possible to respond instead with love and with hope.
Our history of peace work means we have experience of the failings of responding to problems with violence and militarism; we know that it tends to create cycles of violence that are hard to escape from, and that peace and justice can only be brought about through peaceful and just means.
Action
We must both act urgently to address the causes of climate breakdown and deal with its consequences in a just and peaceful way. To this end, Quakers in Britain has joined an international coalition of partners to plan the first Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice (21–28 September 2024).
The theme for the week is Divest from War – Invest in Climate Justice!
The Week of Action aims to raise awareness of the connections between war, militarism and climate breakdown. It also seeks to draw together individuals and organisations working in often separate movements for peace and climate justice so that they might see how their goals overlap and collaborate on them.
The global week of action is planned to be an annual event.
Join in
You can take part in the Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice (21–28 September 2024). You can do the following:
- Register for a webinar exploring the issues led by experts in the field and people with lived experience.
- Join another event online or in your area. The full calendar of events and actions planned is accessible here.
- Plan your own action using the toolkit for action.
- Writing to your MP to introduce them to the topic. Northern Friends Peace Board are creating a helpful template you can use which will be available on their website.
Work we've done
In 2024, we submitted evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry on 'Climate change and security'. Our submission called on the UK government to prioritise global human security rather than the UK's national security in the face of climate breakdown, and to recognise that the military and arms industries are major contributors to the climate crisis and therefore cannot form the basis of a sustainable and just response to it.
We've also taken a leading role in the Rethinking Security network which promotes narratives around security centred on human and planetary security rather than national or state security, and works for policies that seek to build a safer world in the long-term by addressing the underlying causes of violence and insecurity. Among other things, the network campaigns for climate breakdown to be recognised as one of the biggest threats to the wellbeing of people and planet, and for security policy to genuinely address its root causes and impacts rather than focus on projecting military strength.
How you can support the work
Equip yourself with the facts and thinking around the issue
Both the Arms, Militarism and Climate Justice Group and Rethinking Security websites have a wealth of useful reading material so you can inform yourself about the issue and be better equipped to campaign.
Picture credits: top banner - Escif; logo in Action section - Alisha Foster