Of course, war can be understood in terms of its direct human cost, but its impact on the environment can be just as significant and, in many respects, even longer lasting. Beyond the direct damage done on the battlefield, war can be understood as a force that changes the air we breathe and the rain that falls from the sky.
From oil fires that bring darkness at midday, to chemicals that alter rainfall, the impact of war on the weather can be alarming, and it’s not just a random coincidence: explosions, burning and chemicals can affect the weather in very real ways, and understanding this can help us understand war not just as a political phenomenon, but as an environmental phenomenon as well.
How war creates acid rain
One of the most influential ways in which war affects the weather is through the formation of acid rain.
This is caused by war equipment, explosions and fires that release gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. When these gases combine with water vapor, they produce sulfuric and nitric acids, which fall to the ground as acid rain. According to scientific studies conducted by the Supreme Education Council. Environmental Policy and Governance on War Pollution, “Emitted gases of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide…contribute to acid rain and environmental degradation.”
This means that areas witnessing intense military activities are likely to witness this weather phenomenon. Acid rain has negative effects on the environment, such as harming trees, rivers, and animals. It also has negative effects on humans, especially when it is in the form of dense fog, which irritates the eyes and lungs. This is a quiet, long-lasting war weather phenomenon.
Toxic haze and “black skies” in conflict areas
War can also result in dense, harmful fog that acts as an artificial form of weather.
As the United Nations reported, Iraq witnessed a compelling case of this, as burning oil wells produced thick smoke that filled the air, leading to the formation of a “fog of war” that “blocks out the sun” and covers the area in thick soot.In some cases, fires caused by the use of chemicals can produce large amounts of pollutants. During one such event, tens of thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide were released into the atmosphere daily, creating harmful gases that combined with moisture in the atmosphere.Such conditions not only affect vision; It also affects temperature, sun exposure, and air quality, thus changing the local climate of the area.
Chemical warfare and atmospheric pollution
Contemporary warfare has also seen more complex atmospheric changes, including the use of chemicals and industrial damage. Chemicals used during war can remain in the air, land, and water and slowly escape into the atmosphere through the process of evaporation.
Based on the previously mentioned environmental research, war contributes to “the extensive use of hazardous substances, chemicals and heavy metals that pollute” the environment.
These chemicals can travel through the air and mix with clouds, affecting the nature of rain.Sometimes, chemicals fall into the water and eventually return to the atmosphere to form a cycle of pollution. A study on the Tigris River conducted by the University of Stuttgart in Germany during the conflict recorded alarming levels of hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals, that exceeded World Health Organization standards.
Long-term climate and environmental impacts
Although war may not necessarily change the world’s climate immediately, the effects of war on the environment can be devastating. This is because war destroys the environment by clearing the ecosystem and polluting the air and water. This disrupts the ecosystem and makes it difficult for nature to maintain the balance required for the ecosystem to thrive. This means that war can change the weather through its effects on the environment.
In this regard, war not only destroys the environment; It also changes the weather.War can change the weather by affecting the environment. This may not be seen by everyone, but its effects are felt by everyone. This is because war can change the weather by polluting the environment. This can be seen by creating acid rain that falls on the environment and creating dense fog that falls on the environment. This means that war can change the weather by polluting the environment. This is a crucial factor to consider because it demonstrates the effects of war on the environment.
