By-

Astitva Singh 

While the world is busy tackling the consequences of the Pandemic and simultaneously dealing with the Russia- Ukraine duel, nobody is eager to know how deeply the war actions have impacted the global sustainable environment. History is evidence that since time immemorial, wars have always had a negative impact not only on humans but also on the environment. Huge loss of human population along with innocent ones, damage to properties, schools, hospitals, and other institutions, lack of economic activities, state of scarcity for population and, full of uncertainty resides in the atmosphere. But the dimension of the environment is hazardous and heinous too. Mega bombing in various districts eradicates the huge population of trees and animal diversity surrounding that area.

Ukraine is home to millions of species of flora and fauna out of which as per IUCN, 25% of species are on the verge of extinction.

Ukraine has an ancient civilization when it comes to Flora and many important biological plants reside in the area across the country. Irregular activities like wars can completely wipe out these key important species. Many researchers have observed that just like in humans genetic mutations can occur, similar things can happen in plants and animals which can imbalance the ecosystem. Medicinal plant mutations can hamper the pharmaceutical sector. Mutations in animals particularly in poultry animals can have hazardous effects on human beings directly as meat consumption is very much prevalent in Western countries like Europe.

Each year the global temperature is increasing which is indeed a consequence of human activities. Continuous bombing and missiles attacking can increase carbon content in the air which is doing its duel functions. Along with the inhaling of carbon soot air by human beings, the carbon is also adding to global warming.

Further, the carbon and soot deposits on the rivers are extremely dangerous as they increase the toxicity of the river along with the addition of high atomic number radioactive elements like mercury and radium, present in huge quantities in the bombs and missiles.

The consequence is not limited to the country Ukraine as the effect is dimensional to other neighbouring countries too. Russia is also surviving its effect. The increased use of nuclear elements in wars can cause permanent damage to human bodies. 

For example,  a soldier using weapons having nuclear elements like Radium, might not get martyred in the war for his brave performance but the radiation emitted from the element can have heinous effects on his body.

Ultimately, the question of humanity arises!

Due to a few stubborn political personalities, the consequences of war are absorbed by the innocent public. Already, Ukraine in the past has been a survivor of the Chernobyl disaster (26 April 1986) which impacted lakhs of people and saw huge fatalities.

At last, the conclusion of why wars are necessary can’t be drawn. With its impact reaching the global level and already the environment is in a state of loss, wars always have a negative impact. Indeed, it’s a need of the hour, for both the countries, to terminate the war and end up discussing sustainable solutions.

The global countries should pledge to not indulge in any war activities for which there are dire consequences. Environmental balance is the most crucial and important factor for human survival. Otherwise, the human population will get wiped out in the future course of evolution.

By-

Astitva Singh

B.A. (H) English, 2^nd Year

Hansraj College