As we speak to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Talk to us about the scope of the environmental damage also that has been leveled. I think the the scope of damage is catastrophic. The best description that I could find for this is the collapse of the ecosystem.Everything has been affected the water, the soil, the land. If we look at each sector and the devastation of it, it is humongous. If we talk of talk about the contamination of coastal water, the marine, the soil contamination from the bombar ...

Environmental Impact of Warfare - War leaves a geological mark, creating a historical and environmental time capsule, exemplified by the battle of Iwo Jima [2][3][4] - Battlefields become long-term pollution sites, impacting communities with contaminated soils and water, leading to environmental injustice [24] - Military activities are significant polluters, yet the environmental cost of warfare is often overlooked in discussions about climate change and sustainability [25][26] - Pollution from the 20th century continues to affect ecosystems and human health in the 21st and will continue into the 22nd century [25] Heavy Metal Contamination on Iwo Jima - Approximately 273 tons of lead were deposited on Iwo Jima during five months and 36 days of battle [12] - About 30%, or 90 tons, of the 273 tons of lead were deposited specifically on Invasion Beach [13] - After 80 years of environmental impact, nearly 19 tons, or 21%, of the 90 tons of lead is predicted to remain on Invasion Beach [15] - Predictive contamination model estimates 155 milligrams of lead per kilogram of soil across Invasion Beach, closely aligning with unpublished sample averages of 147 milligrams per kilogram of soil [15][17] - The lead contamination prediction model can be used for other heavy metals, such as mercury, across war-impacted environments [18][19] Safety Thresholds and Environmental Consequences - World Health Organization (WHO) lead limits are at 100 milligrams per kilogram, while California recognizes 80 milligrams per kilogram as the level when lead begins to decay human cells [20][21] - US EPA limits are at 400 milligrams per kilogram in residential zones, including agricultural soils and playgrounds, which is far above when lead begins to harm humans [21] - Bombardments stripped away natural vegetation, leaving a toxic legacy of heavy metals that inhibit plant growth and soil health [22] - Marine life near the coast struggles with bioaccumulation of heavy metals, and vegetation struggles to regrow in and around impact zones [23] Recommendations - Policymakers must recognize war as not just a geopolitical crisis but an environmental one [28] - Focus on educating veterans and civilians about contamination risks and holding militaries accountable [28]