Peace and Justice Vigil: War costs us the Earth

Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/06/2023
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location
Corner of Main St and Illinois Ave

Categories No Categories

MONTHLY PEACE AND JUSTICE VIGIL:
WAR COSTS US THE EARTH–GLOBAL DAYS OF ACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023 NOON TO 1:00 PM
The Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois will hold the Monthly Peace and Justice Vigil on Saturday, May 6, 2023, Noon to 1 P.M. at the corner of Main and Illinois Ave., Carbondale. The Global Campaign on Military Spending organizes these international days of action. https://demilitarize.org/
“New data on global military spending shows that last year it grew by 3.7% above inflation to a massive $2.24 trillion. The new spending data has been published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The world’s militaries are responsible for roughly five percent of global Greenhouse Gas emissions, however their carbon footprint, as well as the various other ways that they contribute to climate breakdown, are rarely scrutinized. Military expansion is inconsistent with efforts to reach essential emissions targets and will exacerbate, not stem, the climate emergency. War and armed conflict lead, not only to death and destruction, but also to environmental devastation and climate breakdown. Although our governments may argue that such “defense” spending is necessary, it will ultimately render us defenseless in the face of the existential threat posed by the climate crisis
Political leadership has focused on hawkish politics and sabre-rattling, stoking tension and fear, instead of cultivating international relations based on mutual trust, diplomacy and cooperation – three components that are essential to tackle the global nature of the climate threat. Funds that could be used to mitigate or reverse climate breakdown, and to promote peaceful conflict transformation, disarmament and global justice initiatives, are instead being spent on militarizing an already over-militarized world.
Among other actions, governments must implement human and common-security-centered policies that protect people and planet and not the profit-driven agenda of the arms and fossil fuel industries.”
Appropriate signs will be provided, but all are invited to bring their own. The next monthly meeting will be held on ZOOM on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 6pm. For information about joining, contact georgeannhartzog@gmail.com.