War's climate toll: Gaza conflict's heavy environmental impact

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.

Nina Lakhani reports for The Guardian.

In short:

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.

Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.

www.ehn.org

War's climate toll: Gaza conflict's heavy environmental impact

New satellites see thousands of methane leaks. Governments shrug

Trump’s cuts have exposed US to ‘cascade’ of El Niño dangers, experts warn

‘Hybrid weapon of war’: Why climate disinformation could be a growing public health threat

Climate experts warn of health emergency as heat deaths rise

As extreme heat worsens, renters are gaining a 'right to cooling'

'A potential glimpse into the future': climate change has triggered 'permafrost landslides' in Canada

Why whales are climate heroes — who also need our protection

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.