Environmental Security and Sustainability
Weapons of mass destruction pose clear threats to the environment and people. Oil spills and toxic waste dumps are too common.
The Green Cross Environmental Security and Sustainability (ESS) programme works to address these challenges with education, outreach, dialogue, assessments, and action.
20,000 nuclear weapons are stockpiled in nine countries – enough to destroy civilization many times over. There is enough military and commercial fissile material around the world to build 100,000 more nuclear bombs. Over 18,000 tons of deadly chemical agents are stored in the United States, Russia, Libya, Iraq and beyond. Land and sea are littered with unexploded bombs, dumped munitions and military pollution.
Poorly regulated mines harm the health of many workers, plus people living nearby, and damage the environment. Communities are often ill prepared to prevent manmade or natural disasters or respond in their wake, resulting in great human and economic loss.
