What does the global arms race mean for climate action? Communications briefing for climate organisations
Briefing for climate organisations that explores how the global arms race fuels climate instability, and suggests ways to communicate on the issues that does not further legitimise military greenwashing.
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The world is facing a climate emergency. This can be tackled, but only through global collective action that puts the future of people and our planet first.
The international system is fraying. States are moving toward aggressive competition rather than cooperation. Politics remains polarised, and many countries are dramatically increasing military budgets following an already huge surge.
In this escalating arms race, we are losing sight of what keeps us safe and allowing the arms industry to greenwash their destructive role. As the United States and Europe cut lifesaving aid and climate finance, budgets for schools, hospitals, science, and social welfare are also being cut to fund weapons, and governments are turning their backs on diplomacy and global climate cooperation.
A more violent world, with lower wages and poorer-quality public services, that ignores or deprioritises the climate emergency in the short-term interests of the richest and most powerful, is not safer for any of us.