User:YH4DU/Iraq War

Environmental Impact [Iraq War]
Throughout the Iraq war, the pollution and environmental degradation from the Iraq and United States military activities is often buried in the enormous human suffering. Nevertheless, the extent of environmental destruction will not likely be recognized by local people and government until long after the war has passed. The environmental consequences of military activities included oil pollution, radioactive contamination, and ecosystem destruction through air force bombing.

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Oil pollution

The military operations in Iraq have led to oil spills, which have increased the carbon emissions and contaminated the surrounding water resources. During the invasion period, the retreating forces of the Iraqi army have damaged the oil infrastructure and destroyed more than 736 oil wells in the southern oil fields. This resulting in massive oil spills and the ignition of fires due to bombing. In 2003, more than 50 billion tonnes of carbon emissions were produced from the burning oil field and released into the atmosphere. Also, over 130 million gallons of oil have been leaked to the surrounding water resources such as Sawa Lake. The research shows that between 2003 to 2010, there are more than 5000 birds of 3 species were killed around lake Sawa. In addition, the oil spill has impacted human health, where more than a hundred thousand people are at risk of neurological disorders and skin irritations.

Radioactive contamination

The U.S.-led coalition used the ammunition made from depleted Uranium during the Iraq war to pierce tank armour. The research shows that 1,000 to 2,000 tonnes of DU muntions were fired, which has caused the ammunition fragments that contain radioactive material to spread across the country. According to the United Nations Environment Programme report, radioactive material has contaminated air and soil; where in 2003, the radioactive concentration found in Iraq soil was 709.52 Bq compared to 143.22Bq in 2002. The high level of radiation has prevented the plants, especially crop seeds, from sprouting; about 22% (9.5 million ha) of the farmland in Iraq has been unable to grow barley. In addition, radiation contamination can cause neurocognitive disorders, congenital disabilities, and lung cancer. The UK Atomic Energy Authority research shows that in 2005, the cancer rate was increased by 35% compared to 2003. As a result, there have been half a million cancer deaths over the past decade.

Ecosystem destruction The war has also led to damage to ecosystems though pollution and physical destruction. Approximately 25000 tons of aviation bombs to the ground, resulting in serious environmental pollution and physical damage. During the Iraq war, more than 250 chemical industries and armament factories were destroyed by the air force, which caused over 50000 cubic meters of hazardous chemicals such as fertilizer, and raw sewage to leak into the water. As a result, the surrounding freshwater ecosystem became polluted and species' habitat being impacted. The research from World Wild Fund for Nature shows that 33 Iraqi wetlands, especially Mesopotamian Marshland, have been contaminated by chemicals, which has caused 60 types of mammal species to lose their habitats, and more than 45 types of plants to become extinct.