“Uncovering the Climate Disaster of the War in Ukraine: A Comprehensive Report by CNN”

The war in Ukraine has not only caused immense human suffering but has also led to a significant climate disaster, according to a new report. The conflict, which began in February 2022, has resulted in the release of 120 million metric tons of planet-heating pollution in the first year alone. This amount is equivalent to the annual emissions of Belgium or nearly 27 million gas-powered cars on the road for a year.

The report, titled “Climate Damage Caused by Russia’s War in Ukraine,” was conducted by a team of carbon accounting experts who analyzed the climate impact of the war. They found that almost 20% of the total emissions attributable to the conflict came directly from warfare activities, such as fuel use for tanks, planes, and other equipment, as well as the construction of fortifications and production of weapons.

The researchers also looked at the impact of fires caused by shelling, bombing, and explosions, which accounted for 15% of the total war emissions. The number of fires burning over an area larger than one hectare increased significantly during the first year of the war, with expectations of further increases as summer approaches.

One of the most significant climate impacts of the conflict will come from the post-war reconstruction of damaged buildings and infrastructure. The rebuilding process will require vast amounts of materials like cement and concrete, which produce high levels of carbon pollution.

Additionally, the report highlighted the methane pollution released after the sabotage of the Russian gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2, as well as changes to Europe’s energy mix resulting from the conflict. While the war led to an increase in coal burning and planet-heating pollution, it also accelerated the transition to renewables as countries sought to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas.

The report emphasized the importance of understanding the climate impact of warfare and incorporating it into countries’ climate reporting and transition to net-zero emissions. The war in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the global consequences of conflict and the urgent need to address the climate crisis.