Environment Impact of Drones Used for War: Drones are not driven by gasoline like cars, so there is no real impact in terms of emissions that come straight from the use of the drone (Browne, McKinnon, Piecyk, & Whiteing, 2010). The environmental impact from the chemicals that are used in the weapons that are onboard (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). Direct Impact of Drone Use in Gulf War: As a specific example of how drones have damaged the environment, we can look to the Gulf War (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). During the duration of the war there were as estimated 340 tons of missiles used (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). While the use of the missile does damage …show more content…
the landscape, the major concern is from the left over chemical from inside the missile that cause major issues (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014).
According to Green Cross, a non-profit that is focused on helping to provide a sustainable future, the use of drone strikes in the Gulf War has left lasting effects on both the environment, and the people who live in Iraq (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). The first instance of an environmental problem is the use of Uranium in the missiles that were used during the war (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). The Uranium from the missile has seeped from the missiles, and into the ground water, which effects the entire water supply (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). This has caused a large chain reaction in both the ecosystem in Iraq but also increased health issues in the people who live there (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). Of this chain reaction, the major instances where the uranium has caused an issue is in the bird population of Iraq (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). Since the Gulf War, there are approximately 85% less birds since 1991 (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). The other major impact, is the health impact on the people of Iraq (Drones –Dangerous for
Humans and the Environment, 2014). Since the Gulf War there has been an increase in the number of people who have had skin and repertory issues, as well as an increase in cancer (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). All of these problems are being attributed to the use of Uranium in missiles that were fired by drones (Drones –Dangerous for Humans and the Environment, 2014). Drone Development for the Environmental Good: While drones have caused major legal, ethical, and environmental issues, a group of students from Stanford University are working to development a bio-degradable drones for military use (Li, 2014). The prototype of this “bio-drone” is made from a root like material that is light weight, and painted to look like a drone (Li, 2014). While most would think of the drone for military use, it’s hard to image how to a “bio-drone” can be used in the same way. The “bio-drone” is able to decompose over the course of two months, but the development team is working to increase the rate of decomposition from two month to four day (Li, 2014). The goal of this project is to allow the military to have a drone, which if there are circumstances where the drone is crashed, that the environment around the crash site is not majorly harmed (Li, 2014). As a byproduct of this goal, the increased rate of decomposition would allow the military to not have intelligence, in terms of how the drone is built, to be stolen by the enemy, because of the composition (Li, 2014).
Current usage of the commercial drones is pretty basic and only involved in the usage as delivery drones . Which means it will deliver the items on the time. Humans makes mistake or deliver the wrong package, the machines don’t .The machines only follow the instruction and only do what is instructed to them . Also humans get tired machines don’t. Usage of delivery drones will definitely reduce the human labor force which could be for better or worst . Advancement of the commercial Drones will help us save many lives. For example Commercial drones c...
Pakistan? There is also Al Qaeda operatives working in the Arabian Peninsula as well, and is
Controversy has plagued America’s presence in the Middle East and America’s usage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) contributes vastly to this controversy. Their usefulness and ability to keep allied troops out of harm’s reach is hardly disputed. However, their presence in countries that are not at war with America, such as Pakistan and Yemen, is something contested. People that see the implications of drone use are paying special attention to the civilian casualty count, world perspective, and the legality of drone operations in non-combative states. The use of drone technology in the countries of Yemen and Pakistan are having negative consequences. In a broad spectrum, unconsented drone strikes are illegal according to the laws of armed conflict, unethical, and are imposing a moral obligation upon those who use them. These issues are all of great importance and need to be addressed. Their legality is also something of great importance and begins with abiding to the Laws of Armed Conflict.
In the article ‘’Confessions of a Drone Warrior’’, published in the GQ in October 22, 2013, by Matthew Power, the author talks about a drone pilot’s experience after working with military drones for 6 years. In this article, the main point the author is trying to prove is that flying military drones is not some kind of video game, it’s as real as it gets, even though the pilot doesn’t actually take part in combat. It can change people. During his service, the Airman First Class Brandon Bryant killed 1626 people. It’s terrifying, considering that the pilot had to watch every person die. His job was to monitor people(normally high-value targets in Afghanistan) from the sky and when he got the command to kill from the authorities, he fired a missile
Byman’s first argument is that US drone strikes are extremely efficient in their purpose: eliminating high value targets in foreign countries that pose a threat to national security. He cities a study done by the New America Foundation, which found that “U.S. drones have killed an estimated 3,300 al Qaeda, Taliban, and other jihadist operatives in Pakistan and Yemen” (Byman 1). Of these 3,300 militants, over 50 were senior leaders of either Al Qaeda or the Taliban. Additionally, drone strikes indirectly hinder communication between terrorist leaders and their operatives. In an effort to avoid detection, many foreign militants have stopped using cell phones and other electronic forms of communication. Although the elimination of technology makes it harder to find high value targets, it also significantly impacts their ability to communicate, which reduces the amount of organized attacks. Without considering the cost of civilian casualties or other negative impacts associated with the drone strikes, it is clear that UAV drones have been effective in eliminating foreign threats.
“Government’s targeted killing of three U.S. citizens in two drone strikes, both in Yemen, far from any armed conflict zone.” (“Targeted Killings”). Drones or unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is the technology that has taken war and fighting to a brand new level. The technology is believed to lower the use of troops and life loss in the wars that are happening today. Can that same technology be considered dangerous? Or are the side effects something that can simply be considered a small cost for something better? Drones demonstrate a growth in technological advances , and also the world. Although as brilliant this technology might be, it brings a threat to the people.
The world is changing, becoming smaller and more dangerous it seems, and the events of September 11th, 2001, brought a distinct reality crashing down around us. The reality was that we could be hit on the home front, after all. The enemy determined to do so harbors zero concern for the “rules of war” and will stop at nothing to inflict the greatest amount of carnage and casualties possible. As the government and Department of Defense has worked to adapt and respond, there is one Army occupational specialty that has become increasingly relevant. That Army unit is known as Technical Escort (TE). In today’s age, our public officials and military commanders need rapid, real-time surety and assessments of suspected weapons of mass destruction (WMD), toxic and/or poisonous waste, and special material facilities affected by natural disaster. As the battlefield grows ever more asymmetrical, the capabilities TE units can provide will continually become more valuable and pertinent to our nation’s WMD defense.
First of all both authors agree that drone strikes cause casualties among civilians. They agree that drones can cause harm among civilians as far as drones hovering above for days or weeks at a time and that; that causes fear, paranoia, and mental health problems for civilians. But where they
The moment I received the prompt to explore just war theory, the first controversial topic containing strong arguments on both sides that interested me was that of drone warfare. As tensions rise between countries and technology improves, the possibility of advanced warfare among nations seems imminent as drones are deployed in replacement of soldiers. The purposes of these unmanned drones in present day are primarily intel collection and target acquisition, which usually leads to extermination of known and presumed threats to the dispatcher. In the United States, when it comes to the topic of using drones within foreign countries, most of the citizens will agree that it is an efficient way to remotely deal with immediate threats to the country.
The use of drones as weapons of war and delivery and surveillance systems should not be dismissed because many people do not realize the real capabilities of drones and how they can be used to better the world through efficient air strikes, faster delivery times, and useful surveillance. Some of the most common misconceptions about drones arise due to the lack of knowledge about what drones are. A drone is a remote controlled, pilotless aircraft that can be used to survey an area, conduct stealth missions, and deliver supplies into difficult to reach areas (Drone). Unmanned aircraft are also, contrary to popular belief, not solely machines that kill without even a thought to who is being fired upon. They have proved to be effective surveillance units in areas that may be dangerous for manned aircraft to fly, along with the potential to be reliable delivery units (Drones).
A lot of countries all over the world depend on technological advances to fight against their opponents. This reduced the risk of having a soldier wounded or dying in a war by making it easier with using these technologies when it comes to head to head combat. Even though using technologies are a great idea but many ethical issues arise from it. One of the main issue is the use of these Drones. This technology is developing more and more. In a recent study showed that there are over 700 active drone development all over the world and these programs are controlled under companies, research institutes, and the government. United States is mainly using these drones to fight against so called “terrorist” but some other countries use them as well. It is immoral and unethical to use these drones because it cause psychological disorders, violate privacy, cause deaths of innocent lives, and increase terrorism. (Reardon)
Every day the world is evolving, different types of technology are being made for different kinds of uses. Some people in the army want to use drones to carry out different types of missions, in other places in the world. Using will help soldiers carry out missions, quicker, easier, and much more efficient. 60% of Americans agree on the usage of drones for army purposes. Many people say that the army should not use drones because drones will increase the number of terrorists, drones can kill and injure innocent civilians, and that drones will “...allow the United States to become emotionally disconnected from the horrors of war” (ℙ8, Drones). There are many advantages with having drones aid military bases, because
Drones create the newest job as well as an opportunity for people. This allows people to have many choices for jobs. For those who study engineering as drones will be more advanced in the future, they will have an easier time getting the job because they are new and so they need people. There are many jobs with drones that offer quite a sum of money. For example, drone pilots start salary about fifty dollars an hour and there is no danger at all.
Living in the digital age where we enjoy the various fruits of latest technological tools and advancements, then at the same time we cannot escape from their hidden or apparent harms. Also, it is a fact that some gadgets supported by these technological advancements are much capable to bring destruction and disaster then construction and convenience. The same goes for the Drone Technology which since past 200 years is being used to create turbulence at the global level. It has proved to be a powerful investigator and bomber at the same time. Drones are specifically associated with military actions and the countries having used them for surveillance purposes include UK, USA, Italy, Japan, Austria, Australia etc. The list of victim counties or nations is much bigger in contrast. Some prominent victims of Drone Air Strikes include Congo, Venice, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. However, it is also an undeniable fact that the massive production and usage of Drones got multiplied in the 21st century.
Drones do add a slight margin of risk as anything kinetic would. Some examples include a person or animal being struck by a drone, distraction while driving a vehicle if the driver sees it, interference with airplane flight, possible damage to cell phone towers or powerlines, etc. For the most part, drones do a lot of good work contrary to their risks, therefore hazards to the environment are