Forest Destruction in Ukraine War | 16 Oct 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a fire caused by a blast wiped out three hectares of 80 year old pine trees at the Sviati Hory national park in eastern Ukraine. 

How the Ukraine War Caused Forest Destruction? 

• Widespread Forest Destruction: Eastern Ukraine's pine forests, including the rare chalk pine, have suffered severe damage, with about 80% of Luhansk (Russian-held areas) region's pine forests destroyed. 
  • Around 425,000 hectares of forest across Ukraine have been contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. 
• Impact on Wildlife: The conflict has left vast areas stripped of wildlife habitats, affecting species such as deer, boars, woodpeckers, and the endangered Przewalski’s horses. 
• Environmental Damage: Forest fires caused due to war emitted an equivalent of 6.75 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, equal to the annual emissions of Armenia.  
  • The carbon capture potential of forests has been lost due to the destruction of trees, compounding environmental damage. 
• Soil and Water Contamination: The war has poisoned soil and rivers across Ukraine, creating long-term environmental hazards.  
  • It has left the land unsuitable for habitation and regeneration. 
• Long-Term Consequences: Experts estimate that demining (landmine clearance) efforts could take 70 years, and the subsequent regeneration of forests could take even longer. 
• Economic Cost: The World Bank estimated the total damage to forests and natural protected areas, including wetlands, exceeds USD 30 billion.  
  • This includes USD 3.3 billion in direct damage, USD 26.5 billion in broader economic and environmental costs, and a USD 2.6 billion repair bill. 

What are the Consequences of Forest Destruction? 

• Global Warming: Deforestation is responsible for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, including gasses like CO₂, CH₄ (methane), N₂O (nitrous oxide), SO₂ (sulfur dioxide), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
  • Since 1990, 420 million hectares of forests have been lost due to conversion to agriculture, industrial use etc to support the rising global population. 
• Impact on Climate and Rainfall: Trees release water into the atmosphere through transpiration, contributing to rainfall.  
  • Deforestation reduces this process, leading to diminished rainfall and disruptions in the water cycle, amplifying the double effects on climate and agriculture. 
• Depletion of Clean Water Sources: According to experts, a 1% increase in deforestation results in a 0.93% decrease in the availability of clean drinking water in rural communities that rely on open wells and flowing streams.  
• Rise in Infectious Diseases: Deforestation leads to spikes in infectious diseases like malaria and dengue, as it disrupts ecosystems and facilitates the spread of disease-causing germs. 
• Soil Degradation: The loss of forests results in soil degradation, further harming agriculture and natural ecosystems. 
  • Forests play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion, maintaining nutrient cycles, and conserving water resources. 
• Loss of Biodiversity: Deforestation is responsible for destroying the habitats of millions of animals, plants, and insects, leading to species extinction.  
  •  In the Amazon alone, 10,000 species are at risk, including 2,800 animal species.  
  • Palm oil production, in particular, has driven species like orangutans to the brink of extinction. 

What Initiatives Can be Taken to Preserve Forest? 

• Strengthening International Treaties: Support initiatives like the Environmental Modification Convention (ENMOD), which bans the use of environmental destruction as a method of warfare. 
  • Expand international laws to explicitly prohibit deliberate destruction of forests during warfare, akin to war crimes. 
• War-Free Conservation Zones: Establish peace parks or conservation zones in conflict areas, where forests and biodiversity are shielded from the direct impacts of war.  
• Post-War Reforestation: Implement large-scale reforestation projects in areas that suffered forest loss due to war.  
  • International organisations, such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), can play a critical role in coordinating these efforts. 
• Limiting Resource Exploitation During War: Track and block the trade of conflict timber, similar to how conflict diamonds are regulated, to stop financing war through environmental destruction. 
• Zero Deforestation Policies: By implementing "zero deforestation" policies, companies can clean up their supply chains, ensuring that commodities like timber, beef, soy, palm oil, and paper are produced in ways that do not fuel deforestation. 
• Third-party Certification: Third-party certification, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), can be a useful tool to ensure that any virgin fibre used is sourced in a legal, environmentally, and socially responsible way.  
  • FSC is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world's forests via timber certification. 
• Supporting Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous Peoples is crucial in preserving forests. 
  • E.g., The Munduruku people of the Amazon are fighting to protect their forests from destructive projects like logging and dam construction. 
• Sustainable Consumer Choices: Informed daily choices such as avoiding single-use packaging, and choosing responsibly-produced wood products can help reduce deforestation. 
  • Reducing or adopting a plant-based diet is also encouraged to help protect forests. 
• Government Policies: Treaties like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change can help protect forests globally. 

What are the Various Global Afforestation Initiatives? 

• Bonn Challenge 
• The Trillion Trees 
• United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) 
• Great Green Wall 
• Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network 

Conclusion 

The Ukraine war has devastated forests, wildlife, and the environment, exacerbating global warming, habitat loss, and soil degradation. Addressing forest destruction requires stronger international treaties, post-war reforestation, war-free conservation zones, zero deforestation policies, sustainable consumption, and support for Indigenous communities to protect forests globally.