p.The wars in Ukraine and Gaza are stark reminders of the devastating toll armed conflicts can exert on the environment. Amidst the focus on these hot conflicts, an often-overlooked aspect is how, paradoxically, less known conflicts have protected environments by inhibiting development, keeping vast areas forested and resources untouched

h3.SOME PREDICTABLE EFFECTS

p.The war in Ukraine has caused massive environmental destruction. Landscapes have been scarred by trenches and bombings have devastated urban and rural ecosystems alike. The destruction of energy infrastructure such as the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant poses catastrophic risks of radioactive contamination. Chemical plants and industrial facilities, damaged during conflict, release toxins into the air and water severely impacting human and ecological health.

p.Likewise, the conflict in Gaza has not only led to loss of life, but severely compromised the environment. The dense population and the blockade make waste management almost impossible, resulting in the pollution of the Mediterranean Sea. Frequent bombings have destroyed green areas and infrastructure, leading to further environmental degradation.

p.Globally, militaries are arguably among the least environmentally friendly institutions. The defense sector is a major consumer of fossil fuels and a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases. Military exercises often lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and disturbance to wildlife. The use of depleted uranium, white phosphorus, and other hazardous materials can lead to long-term soil and water contamination, posing enduring health risks to both humans and wildlife.

h3.SOME UNEXPECTED EFFECTS

p.Ironically, while major conflicts wreak havoc on the environment, numerous lesser-known conflicts have resulted in the preservation of large tracts of land. These areas, often dangerous and inaccessible, due to ongoing fighting or unexploded ordnance, have remained relatively undeveloped. This inadvertent conservation effect has kept ecosystems intact and protected biodiversity.

p.The longstanding conflict between the Colombian government and FARC rebels, among others, created numerous no-go zones in rural and forested regions, such as the Amazon Basin. This isolation has not only kept large areas underdeveloped, but preserved the rich biodiversity, including several endangered species. The cessation of hostilities has raised concerns about the rush to exploit these previously inaccessible areas for agriculture and mining.

p.The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been plagued by continuous conflict involving various armed groups, particularly in the eastern provinces. This persistent instability renders vast tracts of land such as the Virunga National Park hazardous and inaccessible, providing a de-facto refuge for wildlife, including critically endangered species such as the mountain gorilla. These regions remain some of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet, largely undisturbed by modern industry.

p.The long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region has restricted human movement and development in many areas, particularly near the Line of Control. Forests and wildlife have flourished in these zones, preserving biodiversity in a region known for its unique ecological landscape.

p.The enduring conflicts in various regions of South Sudan and Sudan, including Darfur, limit large-scale agricultural and mining development. This has helped to preserve the extensive savannah and wetland ecosystems that are home to diverse species, including migratory birds and large mammals. These areas remain relatively undisturbed by human activity, preserving their ecological integrity despite the ongoing human tragedy.

p.Myanmar’s border regions have seen decades of ethnic conflict that has severely limited access and development. These conflict zones, enveloping parts of the country’s extensive forests, have inadvertently conserved significant stretches of Southeast Asia’s biodiversity hotspots. While the ongoing security concerns have protected numerous species, they also pose challenges for conservation efforts.

p.The civil war in Syria has led to extensive human displacement and abandonment of agricultural lands, particularly in the north of the country. This reduction in human activity has unexpectedly allowed local ecosystems to regenerate, providing a temporary respite for wildlife and plant life in the midst of war. The long-term impacts of this abandonment are mixed, as returning populations struggle to find sustainable ways to reintegrate into these now-wild areas.

p.Many of these conflicts have kept underground minerals and energy resources untapped. The vast mineral wealth in the DRC and Afghanistan, including many critical resources, remain largely unexploited due to ongoing instability. While this has economic drawbacks, it also means these resources are preserved from the environmental degradation that mining would inevitably bring.

h3.GOVERNMENTS WAIT FOR THE WARS TO END

p.The increasing fragmentation in global politics complicates the forma-tion of cohesive international alliances crucial for tackling pervasive environmental challenges. The reluctance or inability of states to prioritize or cooperate on global environmental agendas during times of political and military strife threatens to stall or reverse progress made in environmental conservation and climate action initiatives, potentially exacerbating the very crises that humanity collectively faces.

p.The environmental impact of conflicts is complex and multifaceted. While conflicts such as Ukraine and Gaza demonstrate the severe negative consequences of armed conflict on the environment, many of the world’s lower-intensity conflicts have paradoxically contributed to conservation. This phenomenon should not be seen as a justification for conflict, but a call to recognize and address the profound and varied impacts of wars on the environment. The challenge lies in managing post-conflict transitions to preserves these accidental sanctuaries while fostering peace, stability and sustainable development.

p.Christopher Burke is a senior advisor at WMC Africa, a communications and advisory agency in Kampala, Uganda. He has worked over 25 years on social, political and economic development in Asia and Africa.