Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)’s Post

Alongside the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine due to the ongoing invasion, there are multiple environmental crises to contend with, both in the present and for the future. In her article for the latest issue of Environmental Scientist, Iryna Babanina examines the consequences of the war on natural resources, the environment, and Ukrainian society. Read Iryna’s article here: https://bit.ly/3u8sDmJ

🇬🇧🇺🇦 On March 28th, join us with Marjukka Porvari, Jojo Mehta and Bart Gruyaert for a discussion by Ukrainian Institute London about global environmental challenges and lessons from Ukraine: https://lnkd.in/e_gfkVJZ Ukraine is not only having to confront the destruction of human life and infrastructure caused by Russia’s invasion but also having to deal with damage to the environment. The question of the #environment is closely linked to that of justice. Ukraine is a pioneer in bringing the acts of #ecocide into the discussion of justice in the context of war. The lessons from the country are thus of vital importance to those parts of the world that suffer from environmental damage in the context of armed conflicts, climate breakdown, and other crises. The event is aimed to foster public discussion and continued cooperation between organisations and individuals for an ongoing environmentally focused conversation about the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine, situated in the context of wider environmental challenges faced globally. Registration link for those of you who'd like to join in person in London: https://lnkd.in/e3wy8he2

Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine has caused unimaginable suffering, and the scars extend far beyond human life. A powerful new online portal by Conflict and Environment Observatory documents the inflicted environmental damage ☣: https://lnkd.in/d6rwmYCH Researchers have used satellite and social media data to undertake a remote assessment of the damage in 25 environmental crimes. Here's why this report is essential: ➡ Accountability: it provides evidence for holding Russia accountable for environmental destruction - a war crime under international law. ➡ Global сrisis: The war's impact on Ukraine's environment has global ramifications. This report sheds light on the war’s impact on our shared planet 🌍 ➡ Future recovery: understanding the environmental damage is crucial for planning effective ♻ reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. A huge thank you to the researchers at CEOBS for their important work!  Sharing this information is crucial to raising awareness and ensuring a sustainable future for Ukraine. #Ukraine #Environment #WarCrimes #Sustainability 

“This paper argues for crafting networked cultures of care attentive to the toxic environmental legacies of the Syrian conflict. Cultures of care must be sensitive to the affective relationships of interdependence between Syrians and their local ecosystems forged during the lifetime of revolutionary struggle.” — Noor Ghazal Aswad, https://lnkd.in/gcYdCDr7 “Environmental Communication has rarely published research challenging global militaries or addressing the environmental impacts of the U.S. military that poses threats to air, land, and ocean. Thus, more critical scholarship of the military’s environmental impacts is needed, full stop.” — Tiara Naputi https://lnkd.in/gaAgtb7q Two compelling articles from Ghazal Aswad and Na’puti highlighting the formation of networked cultures of care amid militaristic ecological violence, and the urgency for further critical research in the journal on the military as a key actor in matters of environmental communication.  Both articles are Free to Read now as part of the “Care” special issue (18.1-2) of Environmental Communication. We hope those studying these dynamics will consider these two essays as an invitation to develop further the lines of argument they persuasively call for us to consider.

What can the world learn from Ukraine, as it pioneers bringing acts of ecocide into the discussion of justice in the context of war? On 28 March an expert panel gathers for an environmentally focused conversation about the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine. Join the conversation #RSAUIL https://thersa.co/3TkugWX

Indeed--environmental communication scholars have surprisingly published little about militarization and the impacts of war. I hope these powerful essays encourage more research in this area--and please, feel welcome to post below if you know more research on the topic that people should read (including your own)

🗻 The #Arctic region has always been an arena of political activity. In this paper, Serhii Nasadiuk investigates the interests and policies of the #EuropeanUnion in the Arctic region. He also analyses its role and challenges in ensuring the region's #security and #stability, particularly concerning #environmental issues and geopolitical tensions. 🇪🇺 The European Union must continue using its #softpower, invest in different projects and pay attention to the activities of the other interested players in the region. ✏️ This paper was edited by Dimitra Pateraki and supervised by Riccardo Angelo Grassi. ⬇️ You can find the full article below.

The 7th joint Zoï - Conflict and Environment Observatory briefing on the environmental consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is out! Today's topic: nature. https://lnkd.in/d_28jj5B The scale and intensity of the war in Ukraine has resulted in widespread and severe damage to some of its most ecologically important areas, while many others remain occupied. The conflict is impacting Ukraine’s biodiversity through a range of both direct and indirect means, with threats such as landmines and explosive ordnance creating risks that will last decades.

📨 Together with other civil society organisations, we’ve sent an open letter to the Ukraine Facility’s trialogue negotiators calling for an inclusive, sustainable and environmentally sound reconstruction of #Ukraine! 💸 The Ukraine Facility is a EUR 50 billion reconstruction fund for Ukraine. The EU regulation that will determine how the fund operates is due to be voted on by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in February. Ahead of the decision to adopt the regulation, we urge the negotiators to maintain and, where possible, strengthen amendments on:  🤝 the transparent and meaningful participation of civil society in processes related to Ukraine’s reconstruction;   🌳 environmental safeguards and principles.  The Ukraine Facility Regulation is crucial if Ukraine is to recover from the devastating effects of the war. Let’s make sure it’s rooted in green and inclusive principles!  Read the letter here: https://lnkd.in/e8Fbibsw  WWF, European Environmental Bureau, AMO - Association for International Affairs, Razom We Stand, Greenpeace, Transparency International EU, NGO Ecoclub, Ecoaction - Centre for Environmental Initiatives 🇺🇦

This is a powerful Joint Declaration on the #ClimateCrisis and Freedom of Expression underscoring the essential conditions for informed, inclusive and open debate and meaningful interaction among policymakers, scientific experts, academics, civil society, journalists, private companies, States, international organizations, and, most importantly, those directly affected by climate change. The Joint Declaration was written by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the OAS Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, and the ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa https://lnkd.in/eVNvkctJ