War is not only a human tragedy but also an ecological one. The violence of war leaves behind a trail of destruction that affects the natural environment and the living beings that depend on it. From deforestation to pollution, from habitat loss to species extinction, war wounds the web of life in ways that are often irreversible. The use of chemical weapons, the burning of oil fields, and the release of toxins into water sources all have devastating effects on the environment. The long-term consequences of war can be felt for generations, as ecosystems struggle to recover and adapt to the damage inflicted upon them. It is essential to recognize the interconnectedness of human conflict and environmental degradation and to work towards peaceful solutions that protect both people and the planet.
Deforestation: The Loss of the Green Lungs
One of the most visible impacts of war on the environment is deforestation. Forests are often targeted by military forces for strategic reasons, such as clearing the land for bases, roads, or airstrips, or depriving the enemy of cover and resources. Forests are also destroyed by the use of explosives, fires, or chemical weapons, such as Agent Orange, which was sprayed by the US forces during the Vietnam War to kill the vegetation and expose the Viet Cong guerrillas.
The consequences of deforestation are devastating for the environment and the people. Forests are the green lungs of the planet, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, regulating the climate, and preventing soil erosion. Forests are also home to more than half of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, providing food, medicine, and other resources for millions of people. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), more than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods1.
When forests are destroyed by war, the carbon stored in the trees and soil is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. The loss of habitat and food sources threatens the survival of many species, some of which may be endemic or endangered. The loss of ecosystem services, such as water purification, flood control, and pollination, affects the health and well-being of the human population, especially the rural and indigenous communities that rely on the forest for their survival.
According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), between 1990 and 2005, conflict-affected countries lost 40% more forest cover than non-conflict countries2. Some of the worst cases of war-related deforestation occurred in Cambodia, where the forest cover declined from 73% in 1970 to 3.1% in 20073, and in Liberia, where the forest cover dropped from 45% in 1990 to 25% in 20054.
Pollution: The Poisoning of the Earth
Another major impact of war on the environment is pollution. War generates enormous amounts of waste and debris, such as metal scraps, plastic, and rubble, which often end up in landfills or are burned, releasing toxic substances into the air, soil, and water. War also contaminates the environment with hazardous materials, such as explosives, chemical weapons, radioactive materials, or oil spills, which pose serious risks for the health of humans and wildlife.
One of the most notorious examples of war-related pollution is the Gulf War oil spill, which occurred in 1991 when Iraqi forces deliberately released more than 10 million barrels of oil into the Persian Gulf to deter a US-led invasion. The oil spill created a slick that covered more than 4,000 square kilometers of the sea surface, affecting the marine life and the coastal ecosystems of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. The oil spill also caused widespread fires, smoke, and soot, which contributed to air pollution and acid rain in the region.
Another example of war-related pollution is the use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions, which are made of a radioactive metal that is used to penetrate armored vehicles. DU munitions were used by the US and its allies in the Gulf War, the Balkans War, and the Iraq War, leaving behind thousands of tons of DU residues in the environment. DU is a toxic and carcinogenic substance that can cause kidney damage, lung cancer, birth defects, and other health problems for humans and animals that are exposed to it. DU can also contaminate the groundwater and the food chain, posing long-term risks for the environment and the population.
Habitat Loss: The Fragmentation of the Web of Life
A third impact of war on the environment is habitat loss. Habitat loss is the reduction or degradation of the natural areas that support the life of plants and animals. Habitat loss can be caused by direct destruction, such as bombing, mining, or logging, or by indirect factors, such as displacement, migration, or overexploitation of resources. Habitat loss can also result from the construction of military infrastructure, such as bases, roads, fences, or walls, which fragment the landscape and create barriers for the movement and dispersal of wildlife.
Habitat loss is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss, as it reduces the availability and quality of the resources and conditions that the species need to survive and reproduce. Habitat loss can also alter the ecological processes and functions that maintain the balance and resilience of the ecosystems, such as nutrient cycling, water regulation, or pest control. Habitat loss can also affect the human population, as it reduces the provision of ecosystem services, such as food, water, or medicine, and increases the vulnerability to natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, or landslides.
According to a study by the CEOBS, between 1950 and 2000, more than half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, which are regions that harbor a high concentration of endemic and threatened species, experienced armed conflicts. Some of the most affected areas include the Amazon rainforest, the Congo basin, the Himalayas, and the Mediterranean basin. These areas are not only rich in biodiversity, but also in natural resources, such as oil, gas, minerals, or timber, which often fuel the conflicts and the exploitation of the environment.
Conclusion: The Need for Environmental Peace
War is a scourge for the environment, as it destroys the natural capital that sustains the life of humans and other species. War also undermines the prospects for peace and development, as it creates environmental degradation, poverty, and instability, which in turn can trigger or exacerbate new conflicts. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prevent and resolve the conflicts that threaten the environment and to restore and protect the environment that is damaged by war.
This requires a holistic and integrated approach that addresses the root causes and the consequences of the environmental impacts of war, and that involves the participation and cooperation of all the stakeholders, including governments, civil society, international organizations, and local communities. This also requires the recognition and enforcement of the environmental rights and responsibilities of all the parties involved in the conflict and the application of the principles and norms of international humanitarian and environmental law.
The environment is not only a victim of war but also a source of peace. The environment can provide the basis for dialogue, cooperation, and reconciliation among the conflicting parties, as well as the opportunities for recovery, reconstruction, and development. The environment can also inspire a culture of peace, based on the values of respect, solidarity, and harmony with nature and with each other. By protecting the environment, we can also protect ourselves, and by healing the environment, we can also heal ourselves.