The Middle East conflict is inflicting a severe environmental toll, from soaring emissions to toxic pollution, as experts warn of lasting damage to air, water and climate.
PARIS: From the jet fuel consumed in bombing raids to the acrid smoke from burning oil depots, the conflict in the Middle East is inflicting a significant and often overlooked toll on nature and the climate.
US and Israeli aircraft are using a considerable amount of fuel, said Benjamin Neimark at Queen Mary University of London. Deploying stealth bombers and fighter jets around the clock adds significant planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.
“The US Navy also has a significant fleet which will be operating remotely for some time,” Neimark told AFP. “That is a significant number of US troops that need to be fed, housed, and working around the clock.”
This energy is provided in part by polluting diesel generators, even if larger aircraft carriers are nuclear powered. Experts estimate the total environmental impact by considering everything from weapon manufacture to post-war reconstruction.
According to a study in the journal One Earth, the Gaza conflict generated some 33 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This amount is comparable to the annual emissions of a small country like Jordan.
By one estimate, the war in Ukraine has caused over 300 million tonnes of additional emissions. This figure, from the Initiative on GHG Accounting of War, takes into account military operations, reconstruction, forest fires and longer flight routes.
This new conflict is playing out on the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas supplies. Ships transporting these fuels, along with refineries and storage facilities, are “all a target” in this war, said Neimark.
“Clearly this conflict is different,” he said. “We have already seen a significant amount of refineries targeted. These toxic flames are deadly and have a severe climate cost.”
The oil wells set ablaze in Kuwait during the first Gulf War took months to extinguish. They released an estimated 130 to 400 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Since erupting, the conflict has sent oil prices soaring and refocused attention on the global energy transition. Andreas Rudinger, from the Institute for Sustainable Development, said economic knock-on effects have put policymakers “under pressure to reduce the burden on prices over climate action”.
Brussels has faced pressure to relax its emissions trading rules in response to surging energy prices. Other governments have taken steps to help motorists with fuel costs.
But there’s also a “glass half-full perspective”, said Rudinger. “From a purely economic standpoint… rising fossil fuel prices make decarbonization and electrification solutions more attractive.”
He pointed to the rise in popularity of heat pumps after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In general, increased energy costs from the war should temper demand through price elasticity.
Apart from climate concerns, strikes pollute the surrounding air and water with highly toxic chemicals. In Tehran, attacks on fuel depots plunged the capital into darkness under poisonous black clouds.
Mathilde Jourde, from the Institute for International and Strategic Relations, said targeting nuclear, military and energy sites has “extremely polluting” consequences. The damage affects air, water and soil.
“We’re just scratching the surface but can already see that there are hundreds of damaged facilities in Iran and neighbouring countries,” Doug Weir, director of the Conflict and Environment Observatory, told AFP.
“We have particular concerns around damaged oil infrastructure, military facilities and the sensitive marine environment of the Persian Gulf.”
The Sun Malaysia
