Peace & Climate

Our Mission

Our mission is to educate and act on the interrelationship of US militarism and the global ecological and climate crisis. We seek to integrate anti-militarism into the climate and ecological narrative by demonstrating how world peace and nonviolent conflict resolution are inseparable from environmental and climate justice, using educational events, action opportunities and solidarity work with climate and related social movements.

Key Principles

  1. We believe militarism and the climate and ecological crises are deeply linked:  Beyond our military’s vast carbon emissions and other pollution,  they are connected by mindsets and institutions of domination and exploitation.
  2. We believe in the power of education. Despite the fortunate widespread concern about climate and ecological disruption, there is little sense of urgency about the massive threat posed by U.S. militarism.  We will focus on public education on the connections between U.S. foreign/military policy and climate change/ecological disruption; the role of the military-industrial complex in global capitalism; and on peace-building as a practical alternative to militarism.
  3. We believe in a peace-driven alternative for our world: It is possible—and urgent—to replace our violent culture and institutions with ones based on cooperation, and on power-with as opposed to power-over. We need international collaboration, not competition, to stop climate disruption, restore biodiversity and the health of our lands and waters.  A key part of this alternative is large-scale, nonviolent grassroots activism.
  4. We give priority to engagement and partnerships with marginalized groups and with youth/young adults: The former include Black, Indigenous and People of Color; low-income people; women; LGBTQIA people; and people with disabilities.
  5. We recognize the outsize effects of the crises of climate/ecological disruption and militarism on historically oppressed communities: Examples include the poverty draft, environmental injustice, violence on the poorest nations, health effects of military contamination, and imperial and colonial legacies.
  6. We work in solidarity and collaboration with other movements and organizations: The crises of militarism and climate/ecological disruption are deeply intersectional, so the success of other movements for change is crucial to our mission.  Large-scale grassroots action is essential. 

Background

The US military is an instigator of the climate emergency. Possessing over 800 offshore military bases, 11 nuclear aircraft carriers, and tens of thousands of tanks, its continuous supply of nonrenewable energy acts as the “lifeblood” of its war-fighting potency. Moreover, the perpetual loop of oil consumption is furthered by the military’s role in protecting and accessing foreign oil. Action must be taken to hinder the efficacy of the devastation caused.

Our Main Areas of Work

Get Involved

The Peace & Climate Working Group meets monthly, usually on the second Wednesday at 7pm, via zoom. If you’d like to participate please contact John MacDougall, or Rosalie Anders, the conveners, at climate@masspeaceaction.org.

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