Phone: +380676598096
War is a hidden threat to nature
Suffering, destruction and death are all descriptors of the war we see in Ukraine. But have you ever thought about the "silent sacrifice"? It is our very nature. Forests are burned out by explosions, rivers are contaminated with chemicals and metals, and the soil is poisoned and will remain unusable for many years. This is a hidden but serious blow to the eco-system, the consequences of which will last much longer than the war itself.
Let's look at what is happening to nature in these times.
1) Destruction of landscapes and forests
Missiles, drones, artillery - all of this not only destroys cities and kills, but also literally changes the face of the earth. Military equipment causes soil erosion, trenches change the natural landscape. All the valuable resources for buildings that were taken from the territories were destroyed, and to restore them, new ones will need to be mined, which are already in short supply.
Forests, in turn, are burned out, and fertile fields turn into scorched wastelands.
2) Poisoning of land and water
When shells explode, many toxic substances are released into the air, ground and water: lead, mercury, radioactive substances. The destruction of factories, warehouses and oil refineries also causes large-scale pollution. And with the destruction of ships and aircraft, fuel oil and diesel will leak, creating an oil slick on the water surface. This threatens to kill fish and other marine species.
3) Destruction of biodiversity
Animals are dying due to shelling, mines, fires and the loss of their habitats. Military noise, explosions and radiation affect the migration of birds, forcing them to leave their homes.
1) Destruction of landscapes and forests
Missiles, drones, artillery - all of this not only destroys cities and kills, but also literally changes the face of the earth. Military equipment causes soil erosion, trenches change the natural landscape. All the valuable resources for buildings that were taken from the territories were destroyed, and to restore them, new ones will need to be mined, which are already in short supply.
Forests, in turn, are burned out, and fertile fields turn into scorched wastelands.
2) Poisoning of land and water
When shells explode, many toxic substances are released into the air, ground and water: lead, mercury, radioactive substances. The destruction of factories, warehouses and oil refineries also causes large-scale pollution. And with the destruction of ships and aircraft, fuel oil and diesel will leak, creating an oil slick on the water surface. This threatens to kill fish and other marine species.
3) Destruction of biodiversity
Animals are dying due to shelling, mines, fires and the loss of their habitats. Military noise, explosions and radiation affect the migration of birds, forcing them to leave their homes.
Environmental impacts in Ukraine
And this is only a tiny part of a bigger catastrophe. What will be the consequences of the fighting?
We all remember the Chornobyl disaster of 26 April 1986, where 200,000 square kilometres were completely contaminated with radioactive substances and the consequences are still evident even 39 years later. So, after the war, nature will recover very slowly, because every ecological structure is affected.
Environmental impacts in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has caused not only human suffering but also deep environmental problems. In addition to the explosions themselves, the aggressor country shelled many oil depots and refineries, resulting in large oil leaks into the environment.
We all remember the Chornobyl disaster of 26 April 1986, where 200,000 square kilometres were completely contaminated with radioactive substances and the consequences are still evident even 39 years later. So, after the war, nature will recover very slowly, because every ecological structure is affected.
Environmental impacts in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has caused not only human suffering but also deep environmental problems. In addition to the explosions themselves, the aggressor country shelled many oil depots and refineries, resulting in large oil leaks into the environment.
It was not the first time that . It survived the First World War and the Second World War. Due to hostilities, rockets and their parts hitting the reserve, fires broke out repeatedly, injuring animals. the Askania reserve was seizedNovi
And the Kakhovka reservoir was a great place to be until Russia decided to make changes. After the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station was blown up, about 80 settlements were flooded, and other cities on the coast were left without water for many months. The flooding killed 33 people and animals that could not be rescued. also The Black Sea was , with significant amounts of oil and heavy metals being released.polluted
Researchers and the eco-initiative Planetmyhome emphasise that even after the war is over, nature will need decades to recover. That is why it is important to pay attention to it now.
What exactly can you do?
1) Document environmental crimes. The project is actively working on documentation. In the age of technology, this can be easily done and shared. The war against nature is as serious as a crime against humanity.
2) Restore and help the environment. After the war, it is not only necessary to rebuild cities, but also to take care of cleaning fresh water and land, planting forests and returning animals to their natural environment.
Why is this so important to all of us?
Wars end, but poisoned land, dead rivers and destroyed forests remain. If we don't think about the environment now, it will be too late. The next generation will have to live among the ruins. So we have to talk about these problems and look for solutions.
Author of the article - Sysoeva Emilia
And the Kakhovka reservoir was a great place to be until Russia decided to make changes. After the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station was blown up, about 80 settlements were flooded, and other cities on the coast were left without water for many months. The flooding killed 33 people and animals that could not be rescued. also The Black Sea was , with significant amounts of oil and heavy metals being released.polluted
Researchers and the eco-initiative Planetmyhome emphasise that even after the war is over, nature will need decades to recover. That is why it is important to pay attention to it now.
What exactly can you do?
1) Document environmental crimes. The project is actively working on documentation. In the age of technology, this can be easily done and shared. The war against nature is as serious as a crime against humanity.
2) Restore and help the environment. After the war, it is not only necessary to rebuild cities, but also to take care of cleaning fresh water and land, planting forests and returning animals to their natural environment.
Why is this so important to all of us?
Wars end, but poisoned land, dead rivers and destroyed forests remain. If we don't think about the environment now, it will be too late. The next generation will have to live among the ruins. So we have to talk about these problems and look for solutions.
Author of the article - Sysoeva Emilia
