The pollution that outlives war
Summary
War causes damage beyond the fighting, including pollution that harms air, water, and land for years. Examples from Iran, the Gulf, Ukraine, Yemen, and Sudan show how attacks on oil and industrial sites release toxic substances and worsen health and the environment long after conflicts end.Key Facts
- Bombing energy facilities releases toxic gases, particles, and oil residues into air and water.
- The 1991 Gulf War caused massive oil fires that polluted the region and affected health for years.
- The United Nations required Iraq to pay over $50 billion for environmental damage from those oil fires.
- Ukraine’s war has caused fires and pollution at fuel depots, chemical sites, and industrial areas.
- Military activities are responsible for about 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions but are often not counted internationally.
- War disrupts regulation and maintenance of oil pipelines, increasing pollution risks in places like Yemen and Sudan.
- Conflicts cause people to use firewood and charcoal more, which leads to deforestation in fragile areas.
- Bombardment creates dust with harmful substances that can damage lungs and cause respiratory illness.
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