The environmental impacts of war

There are so many environmental and sustainability topics I could discuss…ditch fast fashion, use reusables, don’t eat red meat….but when the world is in turmoil, I can’t ignore it. 

Let’s talk about war. Aside from death and destruction, which is hideous on its own, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dire environmental consequences. Ukraine makes up 6% of the European landmass, but it has 35% of its biodiversity. 70,000 species of rare or endemic flora and fauna will be affected. Additionally, Ukraine also has 33 wetlands of international importance- meaning they have been deemed essential to help regulate the global climate by members at the COP summit. Now, these wetlands are in peril- this affects us all! 

Let’s also not forget to mention the risk for global water contamination and air pollution that comes from disrupting the active and inactive nuclear sites in Ukraine. Remember Chernobyl- home to the worst nuclear disaster in history …Chernobyl is located between the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the country's border with Belarus. The Ukrainian government already reported spikes in radiation, after Chernobyl and the exclusion zone, were captured by Russian forces. This spike in radiation is most likely from the delivery and dissemination of artillery and ammunition, and foot traffic that has upended  the nuclear debris that has settled in the soil, untouched since 1986. 

Chernobyl is not the only area of concern. Donbas, located in Eastern Ukraine, is an area some already referred to as a ticking-time bomb. It is highly industrialized with 900 active and inactive coal and metallurgic mines, chemical factories and power stations. Routine pumping of the mines is necessary to ensure that areas don’t get flooded and release arsenic, mercury, and lead into the groundwater, which could cause irreversible damage. Since 2014, when the conflict with Russia first began, it’s been a struggle to keep environmental catastrophe in this area at bay, and no doubt, this current war will completely limit the governments ability to focus on the environment, causing any progress that has already been made, to be quickly undone. 

This post could have been much longer- as there are many many many more environmental repercussions of war- the point here, is just to make you aware that we are all connected. Whether it’s the humanitarian or environmental aspects that bother you, don’t turn a blind eye. Stay aware. Get educated. Be active. Use your voice.