The consequences of war are severe against the environment. Heavy metals, dioxins, and radioactive elements are discharged by the explosives, munitions remains, and ruined industrial objects. This pollution infiltrates the soil and groundwater resulting in long-lasting risks even after conflicts have ceased and basic destruction of ecological conditions.
War combats destroy forests, wetland and farmlands purposefully. Deforestation and the burning of the earth are just such tactics to destroy habitats and biodiversity. Such loss destabilizes the natural systems, reduces carbon sequestration, and irreversibly depletes the natural resources to be used by future generations.
There is mega pollution caused by military activities. Heavy use of fuel emits greenhouse gases. Oil, chemicals and sewage seep out of destroyed infrastructure. Unexploded ordnance makes huge areas of land inaccessible to agricultural production, generation of development and safe living for decades.
The environmental legacy of war creates serious health effects on future generations. Consumption of polluted air, water, and soil leads to cancers, birth disorders, and chronic diseases. Depleted uranium and asbestos are toxic substances that have extended latency that leads to health emergencies even after the war stops.
Inadequacy of resources is left to be a burden. Food and water insecurity is caused by contaminated water sources and defiled farmland. The struggle of a limited quantity of resources can create additional fighting. It should cost fortunes to restore destroyed habitats that need huge tasks that cannot be done by most war-stricken countries and that is why these societies find themselves in a spiral of poverty.
Conclusion
War produces serious and long-lasting damage to the environment. Land, water and air are seriously polluted due to contamination, loss in biodiversity and pollution. The posterity leaves behind contaminated nature and landscape, health, and vital resource shortage. The impact of these effects is direct on the human health and environmental stability decades after the cessation of hostilities. It is necessary to deal with this legacy to bring sustainable recovery and avoid further suffering.
