The Military "Green Transition" and Struggles for Socioecological Justice

Mar 10, 2026 | UMass Boston Department of Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
Boston, MA and online
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NATO, EU and Allied military sectors are currently busy with “greening” militarism. Through a range of projects – such as the digitalization and electrification of military technologies and operations – armed forces are re-presented as climate warriors governing a world ravaged by climate chaos, and arms industries are re-presented as guarantors of “a stable and sustainable future.” This talk traces the emergence of a military-green-industrial complex and its normalization of the production, profiteering and practice of armed violence in the name of climate action, environmental sustainability and ethical finance. Rather than mitigate insecurities, the military green transition exacerbates socioecological breakdown and conflates environmental care with “fighting and winning wars.” Edwards examines the profound implications for peace and socioecological justice struggles and their efforts to build alternative futures.  

Dr. Nico Edwards (she/her) is an award-winning researcher who works on green militarism and socioecological justice struggles. She holds a Postdoctoral Research Associate position with the War & Geos project led by Dr. Mark Griffiths at Newcastle University (UK). Nico is a Board Director with Scientists for Global Responsibility, listed Expert with Forum on the Arms Trade, and Co-Founder of the annual Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice. She works with myriad campaigns globally, organizing for demilitarization, collective liberation and socioecologically just futures.