Will environmental protections be prioritised over traditional military goals

Preventing environmental exploitation in war and conflict

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict to draw attention to the often overlooked impact of armed conflicts on the environment.

The day was designated by the UNGA in 2001, with the first observance taking place on 6 November 2002 to spread awareness about the significance of protecting the environment during wars and armed conflicts.

The day also reiterates the importance for world leaders of incorporating environmental concerns throughout all phases of conflicts, i.e. conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. This approach is crucial for containing the environmental consequences of war, including the lasting effects on local communities.

Environmental fallout 

Wars and armed conflicts generate pollution, exacerbate climate change, damage ecosystems, and cause health issues among local communities that are felt across generations. Some of the examples include the ongoing war on Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine War.

Gaza

In its first assessment of the war in the Gaza Strip published in June this year, the UNEP noted the unprecedented impact of the war on the tiny Strip’s ecosystems that had already been facing degradation and pressure due to recurring conflicts, rapid urbanisation, high population density, and the region’s vulnerability to climate change.

The report also underlined that the growing water, air and soil pollution and the collapse of sanitation systems are deeply harming people’s health, food security and Gaza’s resilience. Tonnes of debris left behind from explosive devices, including some unexploded bombs, is yet another grave concern. 

Ukraine

Similarly, more than two and a half years of the Russia-Ukraine War has had a devastating impact on Ukraine’s environment and ecosystems. For instance, in a journal article titled The environmental health impacts of Russia’s war on Ukraine, authors noted that as of April 2023, approximately 1,74,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory (29 per cent) were contaminated with landmines, while bombing that dramatically increased the concentration of fine particulate matter have increased air pollution in the country. 

The war has also increased Ukraine’s vulnerability to climate change and complicated its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The authors of the article also underlined the equally worrisome impact of the war on global food security, as Russia and Ukraine are the two major suppliers of energy, food and fertilisers. 

Effect on local communities

History abounds with lessons on how wars and armed conflicts have cast a long shadow over public health, leaving scars that linger across generations. The use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII exposed local communities to radiation. As a result, survivors and their descendants have faced severe immediate and long-term health issues, including cancers and genetic damage.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War has caused severe destruction of civilian infrastructure and internal displacement in Ukraine that, in turn, exacerbated the health impact. According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 11,973 civilians, including 622 children, have been killed since the start of the war in February 2022.

Similarly, in Gaza, since 7 October 2023, more than 41,000 people have been killed and some 95,000 have been injured, while approximately 75 per cent of Gaza’s population has been displaced. The war has also caused a catastrophic public health crisis, leading to a spike in preventable deaths, the rapid spread of diseases, and high rates of physical and mental illnesses. 

The UN Women also revealed a worrisome picture of gender-related vulnerabilities and underlined that compared to men, women reported higher rates of medical conditions and greater risks of exposure to communicable diseases. In addition, the World Health Organization in Palestine estimated that more than 1,62,000 women have or are at risk of developing non-communicable diseases, including over 30,841 at risk of diabetes, 107,443 at risk of hypertension, 18,583 at risk of cardiovascular diseases and 5,201 women diagnosed with cancer.

Time for global action

Therefore, paying attention to the environmental effects of wars and conflicts is the need of the hour. Although there are currently no international standards for measuring environmental impacts during war, bodies like the UNEP, and some countries have developed monitoring and documentation strategies to assess the environmental impacts of armed conflict. 

In that context, it is crucial that world leaders join hands and pledge to mitigate the environmental impact of wars and conflicts. It is of paramount importance for saving the environment, and ecosystems and preserving the gains made on climate change and SDGs.   

One way to address the issue could be to strengthen legal frameworks to protect the environment during wars and armed conflicts and deter violators. 

Post Read Questions

In what ways do war and armed conflicts harm ecosystems and deplete natural resources? Discuss with examples of the ongoing conflicts.  

What long-term health impacts do communities face due to environmental damage caused by armed conflicts?

Why is it essential for world leaders to address the environmental impact of wars and conflicts at this point in history?

What can be done to hold countries accountable for the environmental consequences of military actions and conflict?

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