Ecological and Health Effects of War

War has resulted in severe health and ecological effects. As a consequence of military campaigns and destruction, landscapes have been transformed, oceans and air have been polluted, conservation attempts are impeded and control measures are destroyed. When looking at the effect of war on the ecosystem it is observed that military matters receive overriding priority in public policy forums, most especially for nations particularly those in the midst of armed struggles, war is often a matter of national and social survival and environmental issues regardless of their urgency, are almost always secondary to these goals. Due to the fact that bombs or chemicals employed by combatants during war do not end their destruction shortly after they are dropped or sprayed, but continue to inflict damage to wildlife, human health and the ecosystem. Therefore, it is recommended that post war environmental monitoring, restoration and remediation be considered compulsory at the international level immediately after war since we humans are part of the ecosystem in which we depend on for biological resources, for health, prosperity and livelihood.... Mehr