Scorched Earth Policy Various references define a scorched earth policy pretty much as the phrase implies. It's not difficult to figure out what the consequences of this type of operation would be to life on Earth; however, it can also have limited uses. For example: "A military strategy of burning or destroying buildings, crops, or other resources that might be of use to an invading enemy force." "The policy in warfare of removing or destroying everything that might be useful especially by fire." "A military strategy or operational method which involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area. Although initially referring to the practice of burning crops to deny the enemy food sources, in its modern usage the term includes the destruction of infrastructure such as shelter, transportation, communications and industrial resources. The practice may be carried out by an army in enemy territory, or its own home territory. It