"The accelerating global arms race is hindering climate action as critical minerals that are key to a sustainable future are being diverted to make the latest military hardware, according to a report The study from the Transition Security Project a joint US and UK venture reveals how the Pentagon is stockpiling huge stores of critical minerals that are needed for a range of climate technologies including solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and battery storage."
"Khem Rogaly, co-director of Transition Security Project, said: The Pentagon's trillion dollar budget supports a global infrastructure designed for US military domination, not national security. Using precious resources to feed the expanding military industrial complex, rather than addressing the existential threat of the climate crisis, demonstrates the global insecurity produced by the Pentagon. Military spending has increased in large areas of the world in recent years after growing tensions between the US and China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine."
The US Department of Defense is stockpiling billions of dollars' worth of critical minerals through the National Defense Stockpile, targeting at least 38 minerals including lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements. These minerals are essential for solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and battery storage. Large allocations are directed toward precision-guided weapons, advanced communications and emerging AI-driven autonomous warfare platforms. Rising military spending amid tensions with China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has accelerated demand for these materials. Diverting critical minerals to military uses reduces availability for clean energy deployment and risks slowing global decarbonization.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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