Earth is suffocating

Already we fighting against global environmental issues which are dominated by the climate crisis, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, causing rising temperatures, melting ice, and extreme weather. Key threats include widespread biodiversity loss, severe ocean acidification, deforestation and now we have war.

According to one study published in the peer-reviewed journal One Earth, the Gaza conflict generated some million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, an amount comparable to 7.6 million petrol-powered cars or the annual emissions of a small country like Jordan.

By one estimate, the war in Ukraine has caused more than 300 million tonnes of additional emissions, equivalent to France’s annual output. This estimate, by the Initiative on GHG Accounting of War, takes into account military operations and reconstruction efforts, forest fires, and longer flight routes.


This conflict is playing out on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for the passage of oil and gas supplies to global markets that depend on energy from the Gulf. Ships transporting these highly flammable fuels through the narrow waterway, along with the region’s oil and gas refineries and storage facilities, were “all a target” in this war.

We have already seen a significant amount of refineries targeted. These toxic flames are deadly and have a severe climate cost. Since erupting the conflict has sent oil prices soaring and focused fresh attention on the global transition to cleaner, more climate-friendly forms of energy.