<p>George Bernard Shaw famously says that “War does not decide who is right but who is left.” We aren’t sure who will claim the ultimate victory at the end of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, but we can certainly tell that it will leave a long trail of misery and destruction. While the human costs of the war have already left many flabbergasted and disgusted, the economic risks caused by the war have put almost the whole world to a standstill.</p>
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As supply chains collapse, energy prices rise, and economies brace for the effects of the ongoing conflict. One aspect of the war’s aftermath that quietly goes unnoticed is climate change. Amidst all the war-narrative and drama, the news media often forgets to talk about climate change. We only talk about climate change after a natural disaster. Man-made disasters are more devastating and clearly highlight the environmental impact of war on climate change.</br>
NASA’s studies warn that the Earth is warming at a rate it hasn't experienced in the past 10,000 years. Estimates show that the global temperature is now almost 1.47 C warmer than its average from 1850 to 1900. Modern warfare will only make it worse.<br>
<h2>Modern Warfare Speeds up Global Warming</h2></br>
Since modern militaries run on a massive amount of fuel, conflicts will definitely accelerate the rate of climate change. Fighter jets, warships, and almost all the military logistics systems burn a huge amount of fossil fuels. Many studies confirm that the military sector is one of the world's largest institutional fuel consumers. According to an estimate, if the US army were a country, it would be right at the top of the list of global national emitters of greenhouse gases. With a spike in military operations, fuel consumption increases due to aircraft and vehicle movements and implementations of wartime supply chains. As more fuel burns, more CO₂ is released into the atmosphere.</br>
Moreover, forests, oil fields, and industrial sites often catch fire during wars, unleashing massive pollution. Vehicle movement, explosives, and missiles also damage agricultural land and the local soil ecosystem, further exacerbating the problem. Since these ecosystems absorb carbon dioxide, their destruction releases the carbon they have stored.</br>
Moreover, once conflicts are over, rebuilding roads, cities, and power systems begins, often requiring greater cement production, steel manufacturing, heavy machinery, and infrastructure. Unfortunately, all these industries are responsible for massive greenhouse gas emissions globally, contributing to the global environmental consequences of armed conflict.</br>
<h2>How the Current War Will Accelerate Global Warming.</h2></br>
On 10th March, 2026, The Guardian reported that Israel bombed Iran’s oil infrastructure. The event can trigger a major environmental fallout. Oil-burning events can be as bad as a large industrial disaster. They can contribute massively to climate warming and endanger life.</br>
The Iranian Red Crescent Society has already issued a warning to the locals against the spread of toxic chemicals and advised them to stay at home. This may lead to acid rain inflicting severe damages to human skin and lungs. The head of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reportedly said: “Damage to petroleum facilities in Iran risks contaminating food, water, and air – hazards that can have severe health impacts, especially on children, older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.”</br>
Al Jazeera quoted the Iranian deputy health minister, Ali Jafarian, claiming that the soil and water supplied around Tehran are getting contaminated due to the explosions. Tehran has already experienced a black rain– a mixture of soot, sulfur compounds, oil particles, heavy metals, and inorganic material. People in Tehran have been reporting difficulties in breathing, burning sensations in the eyes, and severe headaches.</br>
<h2>Global Energy and Food Security Risks</h2></br>
As Iran retaliates and targets Gulf nations, the international oil prices are surging. This may trigger a global energy crisis. The situation may compel some countries to burn more fossil fuels or coal plants to support their energy needs. Since Iran has been exploiting the Strait of Hormuz as a chokepoint, ships eventually have to take longer routes, burning more fuel and increasing global transport costs.</br>
One of the worst outcomes of the war may yet surface: since the war is disrupting fertilizer supplies from Gulf countries. As fertilizer prices rise, it isn’t difficult to remain optimistic about crop yields, all around the world. The situation can easily trigger a food crisis and severely increase pressure on agricultural land for farming. That further worsens climate change through agricultural emissions and probable deforestation.</br>
With geopolitical tensions at their peak, global cooperation usually takes a backseat, and international summits, climate treaties, and environmental negotiations are not overlooked. Rather than spending money on climate mitigation, governments are starting to lean towards defense spending. With lesser trust, nations also stop cooperating with each other in areas that require technology sharing, climate data, or even financial resources for global climate action.</br>
Humanity has already done irreparable damage to Earth, and we are fast approaching a complete climate breakdown. Armed conflicts will only hasten the pace of destruction. Let’s hope that world leaders realize it sooner, and we are all able to restore some semblance of peace and start helping the atmosphere heal.
The Hidden Environmental Costs of the America–Israel–Iran Conflict
15 Mar 2026