Our (Actual) Greatest Threat

Dear friend,

Politico isn't reporting accurately on our greatest national security threat. We're not okay with that. 

The U.S. military is the world’s largest oil consumer and causes more greenhouse gas emissions than 140 nations combined. Over 64% of our government’s discretionary spending is siphoned off to the Pentagon every year. Because of its inextricable link to massive fossil fuel extraction and emissions, military operations are an existential threat to human life.  Sounds like a big deal, right? But is the media reporting on it? NO. 

 Tell POLITICO to start reporting on the intersection of climate change and militarism!

Politico prides itself on being “the global authority on the intersection of politics, policy, and power,” and they position themselves as “the most robust news operation and information service in the world specializing in politics and policy.” It is no secret that they are very cozy with weapons manufacturers and the Department of Defense. They see their role as the news organization that informs “the powerful, particularly those who have a political, professional or financial stake in politics and policy.” But the truth is we ALL have political, professional, and financial stake in politics and policy, especially when it comes to how the United States responds to climate change and the increasing severity of climate crisis and destruction. 

Any scientist could tell you that the greatest threat to our national security isn’t China, or “the horrors of socialism.” It’s climate change, by a mile. Which makes the super-emitting “Department of Defense” a contradiction in terms. Shockingly, Politico doesn’t seem to know that. Any reporting they do on climate change doesn’t mention the military – even when 6 percent of emissions worldwide can be attributed to military operations. When it comes to such an existential threat, reporting on climate change without identifying its causes isn’t just ignorant. It’s irresponsible, and it’s bad journalism. 

 Help improve Politico’s journalistic standards, and ask them to report on a major national security threat. 

This is why we are demanding Politico start reporting on one of the biggest climate polluters in the world - the United States military. We ask them to use their “global authority” for good and expose those who are most responsible for the climate crisis. We have to hold the powerful accountable, and that includes the media that reports to them. The future of our planet relies on it. 

Join our efforts to pressure the media to finally start reporting on the role our military and war of in the destruction of our planet by signing the “Politico, Report the Pentagon Polluters!” petition!

In solidarity,
Melissa, Teddy and CODEPINK