What are the economical and environmental consequences of the wars?

For Americains and people watching around the world, September 11, 2001, is a day that will never be forgotten.

Within three hours, New York’s tallest buildings were reduced to rubble, and the Pentagon, the nerve center of the American armed forces, was burning and partially collapsed. Terrorism refers to criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups that are inspired by or associated with designated foreign (state-sponsored) terrorist organizations or nations. In relation with this theme and axis, in class, we studied a unit entitled 9/11 the aftermath showing different aspects/angles on the political consequences on the USA. We are going to ask ourselves: What are the economical and environmental consequences of the wars? First, we will look at the economic consequences, with the human losses and the cost of these post 9/11 wars. And secondly, we will study the environmental consequences.

In post-9/11 military operations, the United States has lost 7,074 (seven thousand sixty-four) soldiers killed in action and another 53,303 (fifty-three thousand three hundred and three) wounded. By most estimates, the human cost is over 929,00O. The number of people killed directly in the violence of the wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere are approximated here. However, it remains difficult to calculate the exact number of people killed and injured due to gaps and uncertainties in reporting. The total direct costs of the post-9/11 wars in terms of US government spending amount to about $2 trillion over 20 years, including the direct costs of the war and money spent on reconstruction, humanitarian and efforts to build and support local security forces.

The US Department of Defense is the world's largest consumer of oil. And therefore, one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases. The wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan have had a serious impact on the natural environment of these countries. Military vehicles consume petroleum-based fuels at an extremely high rate. Air pollution from military vehicles and weapons has had negative effects on the public health of civilians in war zones as well as on soldiers. Firstly, there is the degradation of natural resources. Secondly, the water supply in physical war zones has been contaminated by oil from military vehicles and depleted uranium from munitions. In addition, military vehicles have raised more dust and the exposure of soldiers to inhaled toxins from this dust has been correlated with respiratory problems that often prevent them from continuing to serve and carry out daily activities.

In conclusion, these wars have important consequences for the US economy but also for the environment, the areas where the wars are fought. For example, the United States could be better prepared to respond to climate change by reducing its fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions caused by war.

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