Climate Militarism, Secularism, and the Violence of the American Dream

The escalating risk of climate change-related disasters serves as a justification for increased American militarism. Despite the United States military being a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, responses to climate threats fail to address its environmental impact. Policies like the Green New Deal frame climate change as a "threat multiplier," integrating military strategies into environmental initiatives. This approach perpetuates a cycle where military intervention exacerbates climate change, reinforcing the need for further militarization. The discourse surrounding oil, security, and the Middle East constructs a narrative of American intervention as necessary for a greener future, perpetuating a dichotomy between the rational West and the racialized Muslim "other." This paper calls for a reevaluation of climate action strategies to avoid reinforcing hegemonic structures and advocates for solidarity across climate, anti-militarism, and anti-colonial movements.