War creates many casualties. We see fear and trauma in the faces of women and children, even in the way pets snuggle up to their humans, looking for protection. What we often do not realize is that nature itself becomes a silent victim of war as well. As a recent New York Times news article points out, war destroys habitats, kills wildlife, generates pollution, and remakes ecosystems.
By its very nature war is destructive. From 1950 to 2000. More than 80 percent of the world’s major armed conflicts occurred in areas of sensitive biodiversity. We may think, yes, but the real cost of war is human suffering. True, but the destruction of habitats actually increases human suffering because often, after the fighting is over, the land is in such distress that it cannot be farmed for food.
Studies of wildlife affected by war note that animals do not reproduce as plentifully as during peacetime. Like people, they tend to hide from conflict, crouching until it’s all over. The effects of war are longer lasting than we think. In a major Belgian World War I battlefield, lead and copper levels are still elevated in the soil.
Prayer for the Day
Troubled by images we see and upset us,
We turn away from the world around us;
Disturbed by stories we hear, we isolate ourselves;
We isolate ourselves and close our ears.
Open our hearts, Compassionate One, transforming us
So we are able to move beyond hopelessness and despair.
In the name of the One who is our hope,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The environment is the silent victim of conflicts.
- Doug Weir, Conflict and Environment Observatory, Britain
Today the [Black Sea Biosphere Reserve] territory is occupied by Russian troops. Currently there is no information on environmental losses.
- Olesksandr Krasnolutskyi, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection, Ukraine
But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.
The deep says, “it is not in me,” and the sea says, “it is not with me.”
It cannot be gotten for gold, and silver cannt be weighed out as its price.
Job 28: 12-15