Peace: In 2023 a new generation American nuclear bombs (B61-12) is deployed on the European NATO airbases Volkel (Netherlands), Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Büchel (Germany), Aviano and Ghedi (Italy) and Incirlik (Turkey). We protest against this and call for a nuclear-free world and the empowerment of the people to counter occupation, oppression and injustice with nonviolent means.
Climate: the F-35 and F-16 fighter-bombers at Volkel air base emit over 10 tons of CO2 per flight hour practicing to bomb the world with new, even ‘better’ nuclear bombs in the next war. And when those nuclear bombs are used, it is very harmful to the climate and to all life on earth.
Globally, the military sector is estimated to generate around six per cent of all CO2 emissions. However, military emissions were kept out of the Kyoto protocol & Paris agreements. We desire a world without any military CO2 emissions and until that time, we demand the global military CO2 emissions to be included in the IPCC calculations & follow up Paris agreements.
The military is an important pillar of a rapacious system. If we want system change, we should not only look at the massive military CO2 footprint, but also look at the role the military plays in systems of dominance and imagine & live other ways to share this planet with all creatures large & small.
As Catholic Workers we organize actions and peace camps with civil disobedience.