Recent conflicts in the Middle East have caused severe environmental degradation, including the release of 5 million tonnes of carbon emissions in just two weeks. The burning of oil depots has led to atmospheric pollution and black rain, threatening agriculture and public health across 12,000 square kilometers. Beyond carbon, the destruction of nuclear and industrial infrastructure has created long term chemical contamination. Experts warn that some affected regions may remain uninhabitable for decades due to high levels of arsenic and lead in the soil.
