Conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Colombia show the urgent need to include environmental restoration in peace agreements to ensure long-term sustainability and peace.
Colombia's peace accord includes extensive environmental provisions, serving as a model for other conflict zones like Ukraine and Gaza.
Few peace agreements globally include environmental protections, highlighting Colombia's unique approach.
Environmental damages from wars are vast, including contamination, deforestation, and infrastructure destruction.
Key quote:
"Peaceful postwar society requires not only respect for human rights but also protection of the environment."
— Richard Marcantonio, University of Notre Dame.
Why this matters:
Addressing environmental damage in peace accords is critical for sustainable recovery and long-term peace. Neglecting this aspect can lead to prolonged health crises and renewed conflicts. Read more: As inevitable as blood and taxes.
The Gaza war's emissions in just two months surpassed the yearly carbon output of a score of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, a groundbreaking study indicates.
The conflict produced 281,000 metric tons of CO2, mainly from Israel's military actions, equivalent to burning 150,000 tons of coal.
U.S. cargo planes delivering military supplies to Israel contributed nearly half of these emissions.
Rebuilding Gaza's damaged infrastructure will further exacerbate the climate crisis, with emissions comparable to New Zealand's annual output.
Key quote:
“This study is only a snapshot of the larger military boot print of war … a partial picture of the massive carbon emissions and wider toxic pollutants that will remain long after the fighting is over.”
— Benjamin Neimark, Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London.
