The_Effects_of_War_on_the_Environment

War can affect more than just the lives of the people living in the area. War can affect the environment that it takes place in. War destroys crops, forest, water systems, and other natural resources. War can also pollution in the air, land, and the water. “Aerial bombing” is one of the main causes of land pollution during and after war. Even the use of heavy “machinery and military” waste contribute as forms of land pollution caused by war. In the Gulf War of 1991 the disastrous effects of the “Scorched Earth Policy,” seriously damaged land of much of Kuwait. Another example of land pollution as a result of war is the use of insecticides and herbicides during war. Many trees and much plant life are lost because of these forms of combat. Destruction of the land environment during war can also have a long term effect on human life because the land cannot be cultivated and used to farm. In some cases the land is inaccessible as a result of the use of landmines and other unexploded war divices. Wars have also contributed to the pollution of sea’s and ocean’s over the years. Dumping of the chemical wastes from war has had huge effects on marine life. An example can be seen in the pollution of the Persian Gulf area following the Gulf War Oil spills of 1991. These spills have had “detrimental effects” on the wildlife and ecosystems in the Persian Gulf area. In some cases, the spills contaminated the fish, particularly of the coast of Saudi Arabia. War also affects the quality of the air. The use of tanks and other military machinery and the use of air bombs leave chemicals and debris in the air. Video clips of war may often show images of “mushroom clouds” after a bomb has been detonated in a war zone. The chemicals used in such bombs affect both ground level and atmospheric levels of air pollution. One important contributor to air pollution during war is the burning of oil and other natural fuels such as coal and wood. In the past, such use of fossil fuels has contributed to much of our current levels of air pollution. Bombing of oil refineries and the use of “depleted uranium ammunition in shell” have had negative effects on the air quality. Nuclear weapons pose a terrible threat to the environment and human health. One of the most threating nuclear weapons ever used is called Agent Orange. Countries such as the US, France, India and Pakistan are still testing nuclear weapons despite the 1996 “Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.” It is said that the testing of nuclear weapons takes place on land, in the sea and even underground. The world has yet to feel the impact of underwater nuclear tests that have taken place in the past. Here in the United States, until very recently, nuclear testing has taken place under the Nevada desert, turning the area into a “radioactive wasteland.” A press release highlighted the unexpected threat posed by nuclear power plants during war. According to the press release, nuclear power plants can be “strategically targeted” during war, having the same or even a worse impact than the actual use of nuclear weapons “While the effect of war can be devastating to the society, human health and the environment, destroying nuclear power stations during war would irreversibly contaminate whole stretches of land over a long period of time.” Wars cause death, hardship and despair, which may cause the environment to seem like a minor casualty. Yet, the destruction of the environment can prolong human suffering for decades, which depletes the development of society that will eventually lead to human extinction.