The Environmental Damage of War That We Rarely Talk About

When wars are discussed we usually hear about territory, politics and casualties.

But there is another casualty that receives far less attention.

The environment.

Modern wars often target energy infrastructure because it is strategically important. Refineries, pipelines and storage terminals become military targets.

When these facilities are hit the environmental damage can be enormous.

One of the worst examples happened during the 1991 Gulf War, when vast quantities of oil were released into the Persian Gulf, creating one of the largest oil spills in history.

Hundreds of oil wells were also set on fire, sending huge clouds of smoke and pollution into the atmosphere for months.

War does not just destroy cities.

It contaminates oceans. It poisons soil. It destroys wildlife habitats.

And long after the fighting ends, ecosystems can take decades to recover.