Introduction-
Though humanity has always counted its war casualties in terms of dead and wounded soldiers and civilians, destroyed cities and livelihoods, the environment has often remained the unpublicized victim of war. Water wells have been polluted, crops torched, forests cut down, soils poisoned, and animals killed to gain military advantage. Furthermore, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has found that over the last 60 years, at least 40 percent of all internal conflicts have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources, whether high-value resources such as timber, diamonds, gold, and oil, or scarce resources such as fertile land and water. Conflicts involving natural resources have also been found to be twice as likely to relapse.
On 5 November 2001, the UN General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.
History-
The UN General Assembly proclaimed November 5, 2001, as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. The day's goals are to increase awareness of the problem and guarantee that the ecosystem and environment are always protected. The UNEP cites wars in conflict areas like Afghanistan, Colombia, and Iraq as examples of how natural resources have suffered greatly as a result of these conflicts. Some regions of Afghanistan have seen a 95% increase in deforestation since 1990. Conflicts result in many dead animals, contaminated water sources, damaged forests, and burned corpses. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, at least 40% of all internal conflicts in the past 60 years have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources (UNEP).
Significance-
This vision accomplishes two things. The first is to settle arguments that come up over valuable or rare natural resources, such as gold, oil, timber, or diamonds.In addition, the UN is concentrated on addressing the environmental impact of wars and conflicts through peacebuilding, peacekeeping, and prevention. It acknowledges that if the natural resources that support human life are damaged, there cannot be long-lasting peace. According to the UN, maintaining environmental protection is an integral part of strategies for preventing conflict, maintaining peace, and fostering peace because no lasting peace is possible if the natural resources supporting and sustaining livelihoods and ecosystems are destroyed.
Harmful effects on the environment due to war-
1)Decades of ugly wars in countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia, and Iraq have led to the immense loss of natural resources. In Afghanistan alone, we have witnessed astounding deforestation rates which have reached 95 percent in some areas.
2)In 2017, the Islamic State triggered vast toxic clouds by setting ablaze oil wells and a sulfur factory near the Iraqi city of Mosul, poisoning the landscape and people.
3)Critical biodiversity hotspots in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan have offered cover and refuge for rebel groups.
4)This has been disastrous for wildlife and forest conservation as these habitats have opened the doors to illegal logging, unregulated mining, massive poaching, and breeding grounds for invasive species.
5)Elephant populations have been decimated in DR Congo and Central African Republic, while in Ukraine the Siverskyi Donets River has been further damaged by pollution from the conflict.
6)In Gaza, Yemen, and elsewhere, water infrastructure, from groundwater wells to wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations to desalination plants have been damaged, posing environmental and public health risks.
Steps and actions taken so far-
The draft principles laid out by the International Law Commission offer a comprehensive approach to safeguarding the environment during armed conflicts. These principles impose a clear obligation on states to take measures to protect resources and land and regulate military activities that may pose a risk to the environment. Furthermore, states are expected to take responsibility for restoring, compensating, and remediating any environmental damage following the conflict.
2) Six United Nations agencies and departments (UNEP, UNDP, UN-HABITAT, PBSO, DPA, and DESA), coordinated by the UN Framework Team for Preventive Action, have partnered with the European Union (EU) to help countries identify, prevent and transform tensions over natural resource as part of conflict prevention and peacebuilding programs.
3)UNEP, UN Women, UNDP, and PBSO have partnered to improve the understanding of the relationship between women and natural resources in conflict-affected settings. They aim to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable natural resource management for peacebuilding.
4)The 1976 Convention prohibits hostile use of environmental modification techniques and bans weather modification intended to cause damage. The World Charter for Nature requires states to prevent damage to natural systems in other states and secure nature against degradation caused by warfare or hostile activities.
How to contribute to the planet?-
1)Humanitarian Access: Ensure that humanitarian organizations have access to deliver aid and assistance to affected populations, which can help prevent environmental damage from spiraling into a humanitarian crisis.
2)Post-Conflict Cleanup and Restoration: After the conflict ends, allocate resources and effort to clean up and restore damaged environments. This can include reforestation, habitat restoration, and water infrastructure repair.
3)Education and Awareness: Raise awareness among both military personnel and the general public about the importance of protecting the environment during times of conflict.
4)Environmental Training: Provide military personnel with training on the importance of environmental protection and the impact of their actions on the environment.
5)Environmental Impact Assessment: Conduct environmental impact assessments before, during, and after military operations to understand and mitigate the environmental consequences of the conflict.
Conclusion-
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict sheds light on the devastating impact of war on the environment. It serves as a reminder that environmental protection is an integral part of strategies for maintaining peace and fostering long-term sustainability. Although the harmful effects of war on the environment are severe and long-lasting, we can take steps to prevent and mitigate them. Governments and international organizations are working together to develop principles to safeguard resources and land, promoting sustainable natural resource management and gender equality. By taking collective action, we can build a brighter, more peaceful future for all.
Written by-
Ekanshi Ojha BA Hons (Political Science) 1st year
Nikita BSc Hons (Physics) 2nd year
References used-
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