This article discusses the impact of war on Ukraine’s forests and the people who depend on them. Here are some key points:
* The war has ravaged Ukraine’s forests, with many stands of highly flammable pine trees being lost to wildfires.
* The loss of these forests is not only an environmental disaster but also a humanitarian one, as many communities rely on the forest for their livelihoods.
* A team of scientists and engineers are working together to use technology to map and clear landmines from the affected areas, ensuring that the remaining forests can be protected.
* The work is being done in collaboration with local organizations and the United Nations Development Programme.
* The goal is not only to protect the forests but also to create a dataset that will help Ukraine claim legal damages for ecosystem destruction in the future.
* A similar scenario played out after the Gulf War, where Iraq was forced to pay billions of dollars to Persian Gulf countries for damages and remediation.
Overall, the article highlights the devastating impact of war on Ukraine’s forests and the people who depend on them, but also the resilience and determination of those working to protect and restore these ecosystems.
