Of course, war can be understood in terms of its immediate human cost, but its impact on the environment can be just as significant, and in many ways, even longer lasting. Beyond the direct damage caused on the battlefield, war can be understood as a force that changes the very air we breathe and the rainfall that comes from the sky. From the oil fires that bring darkness in the middle of the day, to the chemicals that change the rainfall, the impact of war on the weather can be unsettling, and it’s not just random chance: explosions, burning, and chemicals can affect the weather in very real ways, and understanding this can help us understand war as not just a political phenomenon, but an ecological one as well.
How warfare triggers ‘acid rain’ formation
One of the most impactful ways that war affects the weather is through the formation of acid rain. This is caused by war equipment, blasts, and fires that release gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. When these gases combine with water vapour, they produce sulphuric and nitric acids, which fall back to the ground as a form of acid rain. According to scientific studies done by the Sec. Environmental Policy and Governance on pollution caused by war, “NOx and SO₂ gases emitted… contribute to acid rain and environmental degradation.” This implies that areas with heavy war activities are likely to experience this weather phenomenon. Acid rain has negative impacts on the environment, such as harming trees, rivers, and animals. It also has negative impacts on humans, especially when it occurs in the form of a thick fog, which irritates the eyes and lungs. This is a war weather phenomenon that is quiet and lingers.
Toxic fog and ‘Black Skies’ in conflict zones
War can also result in thick, noxious fog that functions as an artificial form of weather. As reported by the United Nations, a compelling case of this was witnessed in Iraq, where burning oil wells produced thick smoke that filled the atmosphere, resulting in the formation of a “fog of war” that “blots out the sun” and covers the area in thick soot.In some cases, fires that result from the use of chemicals can produce large quantities of pollutants. During one such event, tens of thousands of tonnes of sulphur dioxide were released into the atmosphere on a daily basis, resulting in the formation of noxious gases that combine with the moisture present in the atmosphere.Such conditions not only affect visibility; they also affect the temperature, exposure to the sun, and quality of the atmosphere, thereby changing the microclimate of the area.
Chemical warfare and atmospheric contamination
Contemporary warfare has also seen more intricate changes in the atmosphere, including the use of chemicals and industrial damage. Chemicals used during warfare can stay in the air, land, and water and slowly seep into the atmosphere through a process of evaporation. Based on environmental research previously mentioned, warfare contributes to “extensive use of hazardous substances, chemicals, and heavy metals that contaminate” the environment. These chemicals can travel through the air and mix with clouds, affecting the nature of rain.Sometimes, the chemicals fall into the water and eventually return to the atmosphere, forming a cycle of pollution. A study on the Tigris River carried out by the University of Stuttgart, Germany, during a time of conflict recorded alarming levels of dangerous chemicals, including heavy metals, which exceeded the WHO standards.
Long-term climate and environmental effects
Although war may not necessarily change the world’s weather right away, 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 the effects it has on the environment. In this regard, war not only destroy the environment; it also changes the weather.War can change the weather by affecting the environment. This may not be seen by everyone, but the effects are felt by everyone. This is because war can change the weather by polluting the environment. This can be seen through the creation of acid rain that falls on the environment and the creation of a thick 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 shows the effects of war on the environment.
