War's Environmental Impact: Pollution And Conflict

War and armed conflict have devastating impacts on the environment, causing extensive pollution and environmental damage. Military activities produce large amounts of greenhouse gases, contributing to anthropogenic climate change, and the weapons used in conflicts leave behind toxic legacies. The progression of warfare from chemical to nuclear weapons has placed immense stress on ecosystems, and the environmental damage caused by conflict can have long-lasting implications for biodiversity, resource management, and climate change adaptation.

Military vehicles and weaponry cause air pollution

Military vehicles and weaponry are significant contributors to air pollution. The world's military forces are intensive users of fossil fuels, accounting for around 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The US military alone emitted more than 25,000 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide in 2017, and its pollution has accounted for 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. In the same year, the US Air Force purchased $4.9 billion worth of fuel, the Navy $2.8 billion, the Army $947 million, and the Marines $36 million. The US military also bought 269,230 barrels of oil per day.

The US military's carbon footprint is so large that it emits more than entire industrialized nations like Portugal and Denmark. In 2022, US military spending hit nearly $877 billion, representing nearly 40% of the total global spend. The US has more overseas bases than diplomatic missions, and these require fossil fuels for operations, generating waste and pollution.

Military vehicles and weaponry also contribute to air pollution through the use of explosive ordnance and the destruction of industrial infrastructure. Large-scale vehicle movements can cause physical damage to sensitive landscapes, and the intensive use of explosives in urban areas creates vast amounts of debris and rubble, leading to air and soil pollution. When industrial, oil, or energy facilities are attacked or damaged, it can cause severe pollution incidents, as seen in the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, where water has been polluted by sewage discharged into the sea due to fuel supply cuts.

Additionally, the remnants of war, such as landmines and unexploded ordnance, can restrict access to agricultural land and pollute soil and water sources with toxic materials. The post-conflict clearance of these explosives can also lead to localized pollution and soil degradation. The use of chemical and nuclear weapons has left toxic and radioactive legacies in the environment, affecting human and ecological health, as seen in the cases of Strontium-90 and uranium contamination.

Scorched earth tactics and attacks on oil facilities cause pollution

Scorched-earth tactics, which aim to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy, have been used in warfare for centuries. These tactics have resulted in immense environmental and infrastructure damage. For instance, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese National Revolutionary Army's destruction of dams and levees to slow down the Japanese soldiers caused the 1938 Yellow River flood. In the 16th century, English commanders in Ireland used scorched-earth tactics, laying waste to much of the province of Munster.

In modern warfare, the deliberate targeting of oil facilities has been used as a weapon of war, causing pollution and spreading terror. Oil fires release harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and lead. These substances can be transported over large areas, causing soil pollution and threatening agricultural land and water sources. The contamination of rivers, aquifers, or the sea can have transboundary impacts, affecting the weather or global climate. For example, during the Balkans War, NATO's attacks on oil facilities in Pančevo and Novi Sad resulted in environmental damage and long-term socioeconomic consequences.

The world's military forces are intense users of fossil fuels, accounting for 5.5% of global emissions. The use of explosive weapons in urban areas creates vast amounts of debris and rubble, leading to air and soil pollution. Large-scale vehicle movements and the intensive use of ordnance can cause physical damage to sensitive landscapes and geodiversity. Additionally, the loss of energy supplies due to conflict can have detrimental reverberating effects, such as the shutdown of treatment plants and pumping systems.

The environmental damage caused by scorched-earth tactics and attacks on oil facilities extends beyond the immediate impact of pollution. The destruction of agricultural infrastructure, such as canals, wells, and pumps, as well as the burning of crops, threatens food security and increases the vulnerability of rural communities. The post-conflict clearance of explosive remnants and landmines can lead to soil degradation and localised pollution, hindering the recovery process.

The coupling of war and environmental damage, including climate change, cannot be ignored. Wars hinder our ability to adapt to climate change, and the environmental consequences of conflict exacerbate this global issue.

Landmines and explosive remnants cause soil degradation and water source pollution

War and armed conflict have extensive and devastating impacts on the environment, including soil degradation and water source pollution. Landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) are a significant source of pollution and continue to destroy lives and livelihoods long after a war has ended.

Landmines and ERW are designed to remain in place until stepped on or detonated, and they can cause an estimated 11-12 casualties daily. They can also limit access to safe and agricultural land, leading to over-exploitation and soil degradation. The removal and destruction of landmines and ERW by mine action organizations can also potentially lead to environmental degradation if not done safely.

Landmines and ERW can pollute soils and water sources with metals and toxic energetic materials. For example, Strontium-90, a radioactive isotope found in nuclear fallout, can accumulate in bones and possibly lead to cancer. It can enter the ecological food chain, contaminating water sources and soil, and affecting both humans and marine life.

In addition to the direct impact of landmines and ERW, the indirect impact on health and well-being can be significant. The contamination caused by these explosives is a social determinant of health, incompatible with sustainable development and fundamental aspects of human well-being, such as economic development and social inclusion. The health community has a crucial role in ensuring an adequate healthcare response for victims of landmines and ERW, both immediate and long-term.

War impedes climate change adaptation and exacerbates climate change

War has devastating consequences for the environment, impeding climate change adaptation and exacerbating climate change. The environmental damage caused by conflict can set back progress on issues like pollution control, resource management, and biodiversity protection.

Firstly, the use of explosive weapons and artillery in war zones creates vast amounts of debris and rubble, leading to air and soil pollution. The destruction of buildings and infrastructure in urban areas can cause the release of toxic materials, including metals and radioactive substances, contaminating soil and groundwater. This pollution can persist long after the conflict has ended, affecting the health of local populations and ecosystems.

Secondly, conflicts often target industrial, oil, and energy facilities, either deliberately or inadvertently. Attacks on these facilities can result in severe pollution incidents, including oil spills and the release of toxic chemicals, which have both local and transboundary impacts on air and water quality. The disruption of energy supplies can also lead to the shutdown of wastewater treatment plants, causing the release of untreated sewage into water bodies.

Thirdly, wars can result in the destruction of agricultural infrastructure and farmland. Scorched-earth tactics, such as the burning of crops and the destruction of canals, wells, and pumps, threaten food security and increase the vulnerability of rural communities. This can lead to displacement and further environmental degradation as people seek refuge in environmentally fragile areas.

Moreover, the world's militaries are major consumers of fossil fuels and contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The use of military vehicles and aircraft requires vast quantities of fuel, leading to massive CO2 emissions. The production, deployment, and abandonment of military equipment and weapons further contribute to environmental degradation and emissions.

Finally, wars divert attention and resources away from climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Governments prioritize military spending over investments in renewable energy and sustainable development. Additionally, post-conflict recovery and reconstruction can be energy-intensive and environmentally costly, often relying on old and degraded infrastructure that locks in emissions.

In conclusion, war severely hampers our ability to address climate change. The environmental consequences of conflict persist long after the fighting has ceased, exacerbating the climate crisis and hindering our ability to adapt to its impacts. Recognizing the interconnectedness of war, climate change, and planetary health is crucial for building a peaceful and sustainable future.

War causes habitat loss and decreases biodiversity

War and armed conflict have devastating consequences for the environment, causing habitat loss and a decrease in biodiversity. The weapons employed by militaries, such as landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive devices, can leave large craters and contaminate the environment with shrapnel, metals, and toxic materials. These weapons can restrict access to agricultural land, pollute soil and water sources and cause soil degradation, negatively impacting local biodiversity. Additionally, the use of chemical defoliants, such as Agent Orange in the Vietnam War, has been linked to health problems and the destruction of forests, further contributing to habitat loss and biodiversity loss.

The intensity of conflicts and the tactics employed play a significant role in the environmental impact. High-intensity conflicts consume vast amounts of fuel, leading to massive CO2 emissions and contributing to climate change. The use of explosive weapons in urban areas creates large amounts of debris and rubble, causing air and soil pollution. Naval blasts and sonar operations during warfare can also interfere with the daily lives of aquatic species, impacting their habitats and biodiversity.

The destruction of infrastructure during wars can have long-lasting effects on habitats and biodiversity. The damage to light industry, water treatment plants, and agricultural infrastructure like canals, wells, and pumps can lead to pollution and threaten food security. The disruption of ecosystems and the introduction of invasive species can further degrade habitats, making them unsuitable for native wildlife.

The exploitation of natural resources during conflicts, such as illegal logging, diamond mining, and the destruction of oil wells, can also drive habitat loss and decrease biodiversity. The pursuit of these resources can become a key driver of violence, as seen in the Congolese civil wars, where the struggle for control of natural resources had devastating effects on wildlife populations.

Furthermore, the movement of large-scale vehicles and military aircraft during wars can introduce foreign species to previously uncolonizable regions, impacting local biodiversity. The use of aircraft landing strips during World War II, for example, facilitated the introduction of weeds and cultivated species to oceanic island ecosystems. The displacement of human populations due to wars can also lead to habitat loss as refugees seek refuge in environmentally sensitive areas, building makeshift houses and disrupting ecosystems.

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