Managing the environmental impacts of war: What can be learned from conflict-vulnerable communities?

Hailemariam Meaza; Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes; Jan Nyssen; Zbelo Tesfamariam; Biadiglign Demissie; Jean Poesen; Misgina Gebrehiwot; Teklehaymanot G Weldemichel; Seppe Deckers; Desta Gebremichael Gidey; Matthias Vanmaercke

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171974

Managing the environmental impacts of war: What can be learned from conflict-vulnerable communities?

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Mar 27:927:171974. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171974. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Mekelle University, Ethiopia; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: hailemariam.meaza@mu.edu.et.
² Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Mekelle University, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Geography, Ghent University, Belgium.
⁴ Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Mekelle University, Ethiopia; Laboratoire d'Analyses Géospatiales, ULB, Brussels, Belgium.
⁵ Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, UMCS, Poland.
⁶ Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway.
⁷ Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.
⁸ School of Law, Mekelle University, Ethiopia.

PMID: 38547990
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171974

Abstract

Wars have serious negative effects on the total environment. This study reviews 193 case studies worldwide in order to better understand these impacts and their potential management before, during and after war. The synthesis of the evidence shows that military actions damage landscape resources. Aerial bombings have great negative impacts by damaging environmental conservation efforts, destroying trees, disturbing soilscapes and undermining soil health. In addition, war exterminates wildlife and their ecological niches and contributes to atmospheric and water pollution. Overall, military leaders and personnel have shown little concern about these impacts. Limited postwar restoration activities are also undertaken to reduce war-driven environmental impacts. The study highlights some good practices on how to manage the total environment during the warfare. Therefore, communities must share best lessons to remain in a sustainable peace, restore the war-damaged environment, and enhance sustainable economic development.

Keywords: Bombs crater; Land management; Landscape; Oil spill; War.

Publication types

Review