Neil Woods - Drug prohibition is a barrier to climate justice

International drug prohibition is a primary obstacle to addressing the climate crisis because it fuels illegal and unregulated industries that cause immense environmental damage. These unregulated drug-related business activities span from cocaine production affecting water tables to the illicit use of natural resources. The profitability of these industries is immense and provides capital that is frequently reinvested into systemic corruption, which ultimately undermines democratic governance and effective environmental regulation. The global illicit drug trade operates on a massive scale, often serving as a primary funding source for other criminal activities, including human trafficking and money laundering. This corruption, reinforced by the continuous policing model in drug policies, enables super-cartels to seize and control territories, in turn facilitating further environmental destruction through practices like illegal logging or mining in critical ecosystems. A global reset of drug policy is essential to restore responsible governance and sustainable environmental stewardship.