92 Nukes on a Desert Planet: Dune, Denis Villeneuve, 2021–2024

Dune serves as a compelling narrative that intertwines ecological themes with the realities of warfare, reflecting contemporary environmental debates and posing critical questions about our relationship with the planet. Dune is a focal point for epistemological questions about contemporary conceptions and representations of ecological violence because of its broad cultural influence and literary impact. This essay delves into the multifaceted nature of the fictional Duniverse, examining its portrayal of imperialism, resource exploitation, and ecological violence through the lens of climate fiction. Drawing parallels with contemporary environmental issues, the narrative unfolds against a backdrop of conflict over control of the desert planet Dune, rich in a valuable resource known as spice. However, the omnipresence of ecological violence is obscured within narratives of conflict, peace, and revolution, no matter who emerges victorious or suffers defeat. While the story underscores the devastation wrought by warfare on ecosystems, we can also follow Dune's analogy to examine potential avenues for addressing ecocide in war. By expanding legal frameworks to include notions of ecocide and challenging entrenched notions of victory and conquest, this essay advocates for a more comprehensive understanding of the intersection between warfare and ecological violence. This seems particularly urgent in light of ongoing wars and military activities on a global scale.