(Photo by Jade Koroliuk on Unsplash) The environmental devastation wrought by warfare is profound and enduring, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Modern conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, have clearly shown the extensive ecological consequences that can arise.
The conflict has so far caused more than $56.4 billion in damage to the environment, encompassing widespread chemical contamination of air, water, and soil.
In this article we delve into the environmental impacts of contemporary warfare, with a particular focus on Ukraine, providing data-driven insights and specific examples of the ecological disasters incurred.
Environmental Impact of the War in Ukraine: an Ecological Disaster
Since Russia invaded the sovereign country of Ukraine, the country and its people have faced ecological devastation across five key areas. Below we describe each of these key areas and also add a recovery timeline to give you an idea of the extent of the damage caused.
1 Forest Destruction and Biodiversity Loss
Approximately 3 million hectares of Ukraine’s forests have been affected by military activities, including areas within protected reserves. The damage encompasses tree felling, trench digging, and the planting of mines, leading to increased CO₂ emissions from resultant fires.
Notably, the Sviati Hory National Park witnessed 80% of its nearly 12,000 hectares impacted through shelling and using drones to set fires.
Recovery Timeline: The restoration of these forested areas is anticipated to span several decades. Natural regeneration processes may be hindered by soil contamination and the presence of unexploded ordnance, necessitating extensive demining efforts and soil remediation before reforestation can commence.
2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The conflict has substantially elevated greenhouse gas emissions in the region. Over a span of three years, the war has resulted in emissions totaling approximately 230 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, comparable to the annual emissions of 120 million cars.
These emissions stem from direct military actions, reconstruction efforts, forest fires, and damage to infrastructure.
Mitigation Efforts: Addressing the increased greenhouse gas emissions involves integrating sustainable practices into reconstruction efforts, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing afforestation programs to sequester carbon. The effectiveness of these measures depends on the commitment to environmental considerations during the rebuilding phase.
3 Soil and Water Contamination
The destruction of industrial facilities and the use of explosive weapons have led to significant soil and water contamination. Hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals and toxic substances, have leached into the environment, rendering agricultural lands infertile and polluting water bodies. For instance, the bombing of chemical plants released pollutants that infiltrated the soil and waterways, posing long-term health risks to local populations.
Recovery Timeline: Remediation of contaminated soils and water bodies can extend over several decades. The process involves identifying and neutralizing pollutants, restoring soil health, and ensuring safe water quality, all of which require sustained efforts and resources.
4 Impact on Protected Areas
Approximately 30% of Ukraine’s protected areas have been adversely affected by the war. Activities such as shelling, trench digging, and landmine placement have led to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. The conflict has disrupted conservation efforts and threatened the survival of numerous species within these protected zones.
Recovery Timeline: The restoration of protected areas is a long-term endeavor, potentially spanning several decades. It involves habitat restoration, species reintroduction programs, and continuous monitoring to ensure ecological balance is reestablished.
5 Aquatic Ecosystem Devastation
The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 released billions of liters of water, flooding settlements and killing at least 35 people. This flood killed animals and destroyed a fish farm restoring endangered sturgeon.
In August 2024, suspected Russian soldiers dumped chemicals into the Seym River, causing a massive fish die-off. The river’s ecosystem collapsed, and a rare sub-population of sterlet was wiped out.
Recovery Timeline: The revival of the Seym River’s ecosystem is projected to take at least a decade. This period is necessary for water quality restoration, reestablishment of aquatic vegetation, and repopulation by fish and other aquatic organisms.
Long-Term Environmental Consequences
While Ukraine and its people already endure severe ecological damage from Russian aggression, long-term challenges will require extensive remediation efforts. Organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) can play a crucial role in assessing environmental damage and coordinating restoration efforts.
The three key areas that will need special attention are:
1 Persistent Soil Contamination
Soil contamination from heavy metals and explosives residues can persist for decades, hindering agricultural productivity and posing health risks. In Ukraine, large swathes of fertile land have been rendered unusable due to contamination, impacting food security and local economies.
2 Water Resource Degradation
The pollution of rivers and groundwater during conflicts leads to long-term degradation of water resources. The Seym River incident in Ukraine exemplifies how warfare-induced pollution can devastate aquatic ecosystems, with recovery expected to take at least a decade.
3 Loss of Biodiversity
The destruction of habitats during warfare results in significant and often irreparable biodiversity loss. In Ukraine, the war has led to the devastation of vast forest areas and protected zones, threatening numerous species and disrupting ecological balance.
Ecocide Entails Legal Frameworks and Accountability
Establishing legal frameworks to hold the perpetrators accountable for the environmental destruction – a true ecocide – in Ukraine is vital. The concept of “ecocide” aims to recognize severe environmental damage as an international crime. In Ukraine, investigations are already underway to document and prosecute environmental war crimes, setting a precedent for future conflicts.
The Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide describes it as “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts.”
Ukraine’s Legal Actions Against Environmental War Crimes
In response to environmental destruction resulting from the Russian invasion, Ukraine has initiated several legal measures:
- Domestic Legislation: Ukraine’s legal framework includes provisions that criminalize ecocide, defined as mass destruction of fauna, poisoning of water, or other actions causing an environmental disaster.
- Prosecution of Environmental Crimes: Ukrainian prosecutors have brought the first-ever war-related environmental crime case to court, addressing harm to a natural reserve.
- Documentation and Accountability: Efforts are underway to document environmental damage meticulously, aiming to hold perpetrators accountable under both national and international law.
Ukraine’s proactive stance in prosecuting environmental war crimes serves as a model for integrating ecological considerations into legal accountability mechanisms. Recognizing and enforcing ecocide as a crime may become instrumental in preserving ecosystems for future generations.
Coordinated Efforts Needed
Besides the incredible huge human tragedy and loss, the destruction of forests, contamination of soil and water, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions are among the many ecological disasters resulting from war.
The environmental impacts of the conflict in Ukraine are extensive, with recovery periods ranging from several years to multiple decades. The restoration process necessitates coordinated efforts involving local communities, national authorities, and international organizations. Implementing sustainable practices during reconstruction, investing in environmental remediation, and fostering global cooperation are essential steps toward mitigating the ecological consequences of warfare.
Post-conflict reconstruction offers an opportunity to implement sustainable practices. In Ukraine, efforts are already being made to rebuild infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy and eco-friendly materials, aiming to reduce future environmental footprints.