Emissions generated during the first couple of months of the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict is greater than the annual carbon footprint of more than 20 of the most climate-vulnerable countries on the planet, according to new research.
More than 99% of the 281,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2 equivalent) estimated to have been generated in the first 60 days of the clash can be attributed to Israel’s aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, researchers mentioned.
Climate costs of conflicts can no longer be ignored
The climate cost of the first two months of Israel’s military response to Hamas’s October 7 attack is equivalent to burning at least 150,000 tonnes of coal. US cargo planes flying military supplies to Israel have been held responsible for almost half the total CO2 emissions.
During the same period, Hamas rockets fired into Israel generated about 713 tonnes of CO2 – equivalent to approximately 300 tonnes of coal. Nonetheless, the analysis is likely to be a significant underestimate as it’s based on only a handle of carbon-intensive activities.
The data provides the first, even though conservative, estimate of the carbon cost of the current conflict in Gaza, that has been causing unprecedented human suffering, infrastructural damage and environmental catastrophe, reported the Guardian.
“The military’s environmental exceptionalism allows them to pollute with impunity, as if the carbon emissions spitting from their tanks and fighter jets don’t count. This has to stop,” said Benjamin Neimark, co-author of the research published on Tuesday.
For the landmark study, the senior lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), partnered with researchers at the University of Lancaster and the Climate and Community Project (CCP), a climate policy thinktank based in the US.
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, in response to Hamas militants’ assault that killed 1,200 Israelis, has claimed more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Moreover, about 85% of the population has been forcibly displaced.
Staggering carbon cost of rebuilding Gaza
In addition to the immediate suffering, the Israel-Hamas conflict is exacerbating the global climate emergency, that goes far beyond the CO2 emissions from bombs and planes. The new research also calculates the staggering carbon cost of rebuilding Gaza’s damaged buildings.
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Climate consequences have long been threatening Gazans in the enclave, but the environmental situation there has now become catastrophic. Between 36% and 45% of Gaza’s buildings have so far been destroyed or damaged, and construction is a major driver of global heating.
