In the context of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, the UN reiterated its calls for peace and to prevent the deterioration of ecosystems during hostilities.
Humanity counts the effects of war in terms of soldiers and civilians killed and wounded, destroyed cities and lost property. However, as the damage to the environment is rarely mentioned, it is warned on this day established in 2001 by the General Assembly.
According to the organization, it is very important not to forget that conflicts also result in water pollution, burning crops, deforestation, soil poisoning and the death of animals.
Also, it must be remembered that in the past six decades, 40 percent of internal armed crises have had as their center the control of resources like wood, diamonds, gold or oil. On the other hand, this type of conflict has a high probability of taking place again, it was said.
For the UN, this International Day is an opportunity to advocate for the actions to protect the environment and become part of the prevention of conflict, the peacekeeping and the reconstruction strategies.
"It can not exist a lasting peace if the natural resources that sustain life and ecosystems are destroyed," it was concluded.
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