The surroundings and conditions of all living things, such as air, water, deserts, volcanos, and many others, refer to the natural environment. Day by day, the world’s environmental condition is deteriorating, and the loss of a vast quantity of resources. These resources are getting reduced for various reasons, and one such reason is an armed conflict or a war. War or armed conflict is a bleak and alarming situation for people. Still, at the same point, it also destroys the communities and infrastructures and adversely affects the natural environment.
Figure 1
Before War:
The impact of wars on the environment began long before. It starts with the enduring military forces which consume large quantities of resources. Aircraft, vessels, infrastructure, and military vehicles all of this need energy, and it is observed that the energy efficiency is low. Military training camps where all the aircraft, heavy vehicles, and weapons are used lead to land disruption, generating chemicals and noise pollution. MintPress News quoted, “the armed forces create 750,000 tons of toxic waste yearly in different forms such as jet fuels, oil, uranium, lead, and many other harmful chemicals.” Excess armaments are dumped at sea.
Figure 2
During the War:
Some civil wars last for many years but are sometimes fought at low intensity with less or no harm to the environment. In comparison, some battles may be brief but destructive. Whatever happens in the War firmly leaves an impact on the environment. Conflicts with high intensity consume fuels and emit CO2 in large amounts, leading to climate change. The opponents’ roads, bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure were the most liable targets during the War. Oversized vehicles that are used by the armed forces damage the landscapes. The explosion of weapons causes soil and air pollution. To spread terror and dominate the opponent, oil and energy industries are attacked, which causes pollution in a large amount. Researchers clarified that depleted uranium is a by-product of the uranium-enrichment process and can contaminate the soil. Damaged ships, submarines, or oil infrastructure is the root of marine pollution. Small accessible weapons can cause harm to wildlife and the national parks; conservation parks may lose their protection. During the Rwandan conflict in 1994, the country’s Akagera National Park became the place of refugees. As of this, the populations of roan antelopes and elands became extinct.
After the War:
The most common repercussions of armed conflicts are enormous quantities of debris and rubble, more dust in the surroundings, and exposure to that dust may cause respiratory disorders. If the waste originated after the War is not managed poorly, it can create environmental risks. And the clearance of remains of landmines and explosive bombs can lead to soil degradation. The pollution emitted during the War or armed conflicts would affect the weather or the global climate. Due to the bombing, the lands are being destroyed, which results in the loss of deforestation. Ghulam Hussain Poya, an associate professor at Kabul University, observed,” War has been one of the most significant factors contributing to deforestation and desertification in Afghanistan. Wars also lead to a rise in poverty and consume large quantities of resources, creating societal challenges.
Figure 4
World conflicts and their effect on the environment:
World War:
Post-World war effects were still visible even decades after the conflict ended. During the War, new technologies were used for different activities such as bombing, transportation, and air raids, damaging habitats. The nuclear weapons used released extreme levels of radioactive particles and energy. Chemical contaminants also damage marine ecosystems.
Figure 5
Vietnam War:
During the Vietnam War, hundreds of irrigations embarkment, farmland conservancy works, livestock, field, and forests were destroyed. The U.S. military used a tactical herbicide, Agent Orange, to clear leaves and vegetation during the Vietnam War. Exposure to this chemical continues to harm people and the environment. The impact of the Vietnam war on South Vietnam was long-lasting. It caused severe disruption of lands, climate, and natural resources.
Figure 6
Russo-Ukrainian War:
The ongoing War has evidence of severe greenhouse gas emissions and air and noise pollution. During the Russian invasion in 2022, more than 20 industrial sites experienced environmentally damaging spills and explosions in the first week. In April, CNN’s Ivana Kottasova reported that” the Ukraine army shot down a Russian missile, and some of the debris fell on an agricultural site, leaking toxic chemicals into the water and soil.” Large fires during fighting caused catastrophic damage to the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve and were visible from space.
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Figure 8
Conclusion:
Wars have done more harm than good. Over the last 60 years, approximately 40 percent of conflicts have led to exploiting natural resources. It creates challenges not just for one or two nations but for the world. More significant action is needed for the protection of the environment during wartime. It is time to strengthen international law by protecting resources and the environment. Every human must contemplate how one can contribute to a better sustainable future. Ms. Andersen, the UNEP Executive Director, said, “to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to act with greater urgency and coherence to reduce the threats armed conflicts pose to our environment and ultimately our health and livelihoods.”
Written by – Jayanti hansdah
Image source – Google
NSS IIT Bombay 