Posted inAwareness Day Environment

Environment in War 2025 – The Hidden Casualty We Ignore

The UN marks 6 November as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. This fast, visual guide shows how wars poison air, water, and soil, where the damage is hottest right now, and why protecting nature is protecting peace. Sources: UN, UNEP, and peer-reviewed research.

Official observance page: United Nations.

🌍 Nature’s silent war zone: From the industrial scars of Ukraine to the deserts of Sudan and the forests of Myanmar, the planet bears invisible wounds of conflict. This map reveals where war and environment collide—and how fragile ecosystems are paying the price.
Illustrative hotspots (2024–2025): Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Sahel, Myanmar. Sources: UN/UNEP public reporting. © Swikblog 2025
Environment in War Day 2025 infographic showing global hotspots, biodiversity-conflict share, Ukraine emissions and Gaza water/rubble metrics – swikblog.com
Infographic: Environment in War Day 2025 — the hidden casualty of modern conflicts. © Swikblog 2025

Why nature suffers first: conflict in biodiversity hotspots

Peer-reviewed research shows that **~80% of major armed conflicts (1950–2000) occurred in biodiversity hotspots**; some analyses put the share even higher. This means ecosystems richest in species often become war zones. Sources: Conservation Biology/ScienceDirect; open-access synthesis.

See study summary and updates: ScienceDirect (2023) • PMC (2024 review).

What the damage looks like (selected 2024–2025 metrics)

Ukraine: war-related emissions

Independent estimates suggest **~230 MtCO₂e** cumulative since 2022, including large forest-fire years. Summary.

Gaza: water & debris crisis

UNEP/UN say **all 5 wastewater plants shut**, **~39 million tonnes** of rubble, and **>90% water** unfit. Recovery likely to take years. Reuters • UNEP.

Hotspot notes (2024–2025)

  • Ukraine: UNEP’s assessments track contamination risks, damaged industrial sites, and ecosystem losses. UNEP report.
  • Gaza: sewage discharge to sea, soil and groundwater contamination, hazardous rubble and solar waste. UNEP.
  • Sudan: conflict aggravates deforestation, land and water stress; localized pollution incidents reported. UNEP country brief • CEOBS 2025.
  • Wider evidence: “humanity is waging war on nature” speech; legal cases from the Gulf War oil-well fires to present. Coverage • UNEP story.

Protecting nature is protecting peace

  • Track damage: rapid environmental assessments alongside humanitarian response.
  • Green recovery budgets: ring-fence restoration funds (soil, water, forests) in reconstruction plans.
  • Hazardous rubble handling: safe debris recycling to reduce emissions and toxins.
  • Invest in early warning & monitoring: satellites + ground sensors for fires, spills, air & water quality.

© 2025 Swikblog Research Team • This article summarizes reputable sources for public awareness. Always consult the UN/UNEP and national agencies for official assessments.