Effect of the First Gulf War on the Gulf Area - Essay Example

? The Effects of the First Gulf War on the Gulf Area The Effects of the First Gulf War on the Gulf Area Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) said, “Men cannot know good and evil, and in consequence can only live in peace together by subjection to the absolute power of a common master and therefore there can be no peace between kings. Peace between states is merely war by other means” (Plato-Stanford, 2011). His philosophy declares man by nature is destructive; therefore his depiction of the struggles between men is natural with the consequences of struggle resulting in war. Whether Hobbes’ summation of the nature of man is accurate or as of consequence man is propelled into war is debatable, but war by its very nature is destructive, destroying human lives, disrupting cultures, and crippling economies. The consequence of war causes havoc and mayhem in the environment and ecological systems where battles are fought. The consequences of war are far-reaching not merely from the devastation and destruction of the fighting, but from the long-term repercussions and costs affecting culture, people, lands, water systems, and atmospheric conditions long after the fighting has stopped. Understanding some of the reasons why the first Persian Gulf War was such an environmental destructive war is the intent of this paper. The discussion in the paper will identify some of the effects of the first Gulf War on human life, its impact on animals and plants in the Persian Gulf region, and what made the war so environmentally reprehensible. The Persian Gulf War: “The Mother of all Wars” The “Persian Gulf War” fought in the Persian Gulf between August 2, 1990 and February 28, 1991 was a military effort fought in Iraq, Kuwait, and the Saudi-Arabian peninsula in the Middle East. The claims that Kuwait a former British colony was illegally extracting oil out of Iraqi territory ignited the fighting between Iraq and Kuwait. In response, international military forces were assembled in efforts to stop the action and a United Nations coalition headed by the United States and 34 other nations from around the world converged on the Middle East using aerial, ground, and chemical weapons of warfare. The number of military lives loss in the Gulf War continues to be debated and estimating the number of civilian lives loss is relatively impossible. However, the casualties of war are not only the loss of human life, but also include the demise of governments, economies, infrastructures, and other support systems in the countries in which fighting occur. The list of the casualties or losses of war can include the physical and emotional health of people, the resurgence of future generations, the use of lands, the loss of minerals, and domination from outside military forces. The stress of fighting depletes and weakens the natural properties of the environment destroying Natures ability to regenerate properties loss during times of war. The evidence that the effects of the Persian Gulf War are obvious, in retrospect and continues to manifest themselves as the area undergoes yet more destruction and devastation with the environment as its most vulnerable victim. The “Mother of all Wars” as Saddam Hussein described it was such a war of destruction that the aftermath of devastation continues to unfold in the Middle East. Tracking the wreckage, the most telltale signs and evidence of the magnitude of the destruction the Gulf War had on the environment is the erosion and depletion of the land masses in the areas. The damage whether intention or consequential resulted in irreversible damage to the region. The aftermath of the fighting continues to plague the area jeopardizing the health and well being of future generations. Whereas the fighting was primarily between Iraq and Kuwait the influence and impact of the fighting was experienced by military support from various nations from around the world and in neighboring countries adjacent to Iraq and Kuwait in the Persian Gulf. The map shows the general region in which the fighting advanced and the neighboring countries affected by the fighting in the Middle Eastern: Illustration One: Retrieved from http://www.pollutionissues.com/Ve-Z/War.html#ixzz1GoRySJ5V Effects of the Gulf War on the Gulf Region Environmental Impact: Human Life To have a discussion about the environmental effects of the first Gulf War in the Persian Gulf region without recognizing the affects the war had on all forms of life in the region is virtually impossible. Likewise, determining what the loss of human life was from the first Gulf War is one of ongoing debate by statisticians and historians, but what is known is that the long range effects and the aftermath of the fighting continues to unfold and baffle scientists. Recognizing the environment as a victim or casualty of war, it underwent immediate changes from the beginning of the Persian Gulf War suffering unimaginable trauma and damage. Similarly, human suffering also began the first day the invasions started with the brutality toward humans continuing for the duration of the war. Hundreds of thousands were killed, wounded, raped, or declared prisoners of war before the fighting stopped (Sadiq& McCain, 1993). The consequences of the first Gulf War and the subsequent battles of the current wars being fought in the Middle East continue to alter and influence life in the area with undeniable impressions of war’s effects as reminders in the region for years to come. The affects of the war on human life is horrendous and the horrors of the experiences are unimaginable. The full range of affects from the inhalation of the various gases released into the atmosphere have yet to be determined; however the evidence of the effects on the human body and mental health continue to exhibit themselves in the physical and emotional health of those who survived the experiences of war. Because the fighting was in a concentrated area refugees from the war torn region sought safety and protection in neighboring countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, and other countries in which accessibility was available. The upheaval of being forced from their native countries also presented challenges, even though the refugees were out of the military zones where the fighting was taking place their lives were made more difficult by the challenges of having to find food, water, shelter, and the ability to obtain medical care. One of the most controversial topics regarding the effects the Gulf War had on humans was the use of “depleted uranium (DU)”. Uranium is a natural element found in soil and water in varying concentrations with inherent radioactive properties; however variations to the structural properties makes uranium highly toxic and potentially deadly to all forms of life (Lenntech, 2011). One of the uses of uranium in the military is as a protective covering for military equipment and artillery such as tanks, when combined with other lubricants and solvents the characteristics of the element changes structurally altering its innate properties. Reportedly, the United States military designed and developed a bullet encased in depleted uranium that upon detonation released radioactive and highly toxic particles into the target affecting the kidney, brain, heart, and other systems in the body (Lindorff, 2009). The environmental affect making the DU encased bullet such a threat was that as the bullet rapidly ravages and destroys the body of its target with radioactive particles the gases emitted into the atmosphere upon contact are equally as toxic and lethal. The dust particles and gases of DU released into the atmosphere could not be contained to a specific radius, but were transported uncontrollably through the atmosphere resulting in the surrounding lands encountering unexpected consequences. The properties of DU made the chemical weapon one of diabolical proportions with the potential of killing every form of life it came in contact with. Lindorff (2009) claimed, “The effects of DU dwarfed the U. S. Agent Orange Campaign in Vietnam citing the destructive chemical had a far greater capacity of destruction on urban areas indirectly impacting civilian populations on a wider scale” (Huffington Post, 2009). Whereas establishing a direct link to DU is inconclusive in the deformity of babies born during and after the use of the manufactured bullets, evidence supports that the reproductive organs in humans were severely altered after inhalation of dust particles of DU (Globalization Research, 2009). Animals, Plants, and Wildlife: The Middle East is home to a variety of animals such as the camel, tortoise, gazelle, antelope, lizards, Arabian horses, jackal, hyena, and a host of other animals that live in the deserts (Life 123, 2011). Many animals native to the Persian Gulf were victims of the war’s destruction as well and forced to leave their nesting grounds escaping to other regions. Additionally, with the annihilation of the flowers, trees, and shrubs common to the area and with the destruction of the natural ground cover and vegetation used as food by the animals many fled in search of food and protection elsewhere. The environmental upheaval from the weight of heavy military artillery and the disbursement of toxic gases such as DU and other unknown chemical agents resulted in the animals and wildlife being trampled, killed, and destroyed by the invasion of the troops. Birds of all variety were the hardest hit of any group of animals and thousands lost their lives. Approximately 25,000 migratory birds such as cormorants, grebes, and auks were killed and destroyed when their feathers and bills were coated with oil from the spills into the Persian Gulf causing many to die (Sadiq & McCain, 1993). Over 1,288 kilometers (approximately 800 miles) of Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian beaches were flooded with massive quantities of oil resulting in birds, tortoise, and other wildlife suffocating and forced to endure stressful and overwhelming conditions caused by the dumping of oil into the surrounding waters. The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) investigated the Persian Gulf beaches determined that many of the animals that used the areas as nesting sites such as green marine turtles and hawksbills were in danger of becoming extinct as a consequence of the War (Kruppa, 1993). Despite the devastating effects of the massive bodies of oil that covered the waters of the Persian Gulf marine life such as fisheries and shrimp beds were the least affected by the spills. The underwater communities of animals did not sustain as much damage because of the Gulf’s warm waters ability to destroy the oil particles in the waters before it could do severe harm (Sadiq & McCain, 1993). Illustration 3: . Retrieved from http://www.scienceclarified.com/Oi-Ph/Oil-Spills.html Land, Natural Water Systems, Eco-Systems, and the Air: Price (1996) evaluated the traumatic effects on the land, water, and other ecosystems sustained from the fighting in the Persian Gulf region. By surveying the restructuring and reorganization properties of plants, animals, and aquatic life he concluded that the Persian Gulf region sustained irreversible damage (pp. 91-96). In retrospect, every life form occupying the area underwent permanent change because of the fighting in the Middle East. The excess weight and transportation of heavy military equipment across the sands and in particular in the temporary camp sites caused extreme damage to the land. The desert sands sustained injury because of the soil erosion from excess weight shifting the natural properties of the top soil and the layers underneath the surface. The impressions and indentures from the weight resulted in significant changes altering the natural reformation and reconstructing properties of the land (Sadiq & McCain, 1993). In the process of moving military installations and large groups of people fleeing the territories the desert vegetation was trampled and destroyed over the course of the war leaving root systems physically abused and altered from the exposure to the chemicals and pesticides used. The list of damaging effects done to the environment and the ecological systems in the Middle East was so horrendous that congressional hearings in the United States were held to discuss possible punishment for Iraq’s crimes against Nature and to discuss possible penalties as payment for some of the irreversible harm and damage done to the Earth in that region. As the post-Gulf War studies revealed the environment is becoming a vulnerable victim and casualty of war. A proposal of the, “rules of engagement” to combat the growing threat of destruction to the environment similar to the articles of war that protect civilians and prisoners of war were suggested to prevent future devastation to the environment (Futurist, 2003). In the war zone nothing is off limits, dams, sewage systems, and water infrastructure are typical targets as means of crippling and preventing the advancement of the opposing side. The practice of crippling the opposition and their support systems includes destruction of communication networks, roadways, and landing strips for aircraft that provide maneuverability and the transportation of military supplies. However in the course of disabling the opposition civilian neighborhoods, homes, schools, hospitals, farmlands, and commercial centers are directly crippled affecting civilian life and the land. Destruction of such structures presents additional threats to the environment by jeopardizing the support for the continuation of life. Because of the demise of the infrastructures in Persian Gulf region and the surrounding countries, the land, streams, rivers, and other bodies of water were contaminated with waste and sewage. Therefore, the destructive cycle continued by touching and interfering with the lives of animals and plants alike. The efforts to eliminate solid waste from the camp sites through poorly constructed landfills were another factor contributing to the underground water systems becoming cesspools of disease and bacteria. The landfills presented a potential threat to the natural growth of desert vegetation and the delicate balance of the environment because of unclean water systems (Enzler, 2006). The cycle of destruction from the wars fought in the Middle East continues to impact the land, water, and air by affecting human existence and creating havoc for all forms of life as the mayhem from the fighting continues. The Gulf War is one of the worst examples of the effects war can have on the environment and the Earth in the last 100 years (Zimmer, 1992). The efforts to reduce and eliminate the threat of airborne diseases from the solid waste in landfills from the camp sites created additional problems in the environment and for the people living in the region. The pesticides and germicides that were used to combat airborne diseases caused additional threats producing respiratory infections and disease in humans, and contributed to the further destruction of the natural growth in the areas when the chemical agents were developed to prevent the spread of disease. The aftermath of the distribution of the chemicals only compounded and accelerated the process that destroyed the balance between the land, water, and air. The Persian Gulf has significant value to the global community because it is a major waterway for the transportation of extracted crude oil out of the area for worldwide destinations and consumption. As a military strategy to gain an advantage during wartime, tactics of war are treacherous and warring parties use any means necessary and available to advance their agenda. One such Iraqi tactic was the destruction of the Kuwaiti oil wells by setting on fire to the oil reservoirs and storage tankers in the area resulting in uncontrollable fires releasing hazardous billowing clouds of toxic smoke and soot into the air. Reports claim efforts to extinguish the fires took up to nine months (Krupa, 1997). In further retaliation against Kuwait, Iraqi forces deliberately emptied million of gallons of crude oil into the Persian Gulf setting them on fire (Krupa, 1997). In comparison the Persian Gulf oil spill was 20 times larger than the Exxon Valdez spill which had previously been considered the largest spill in history (Zimmer, 1992). The inhalation of the fumes from the oil fires and toxic gases released contributed to the respiratory illnesses and complaints documented and observed in the people living in the region. Plants and animal life in the area were no exception from the effects of the fires each exhibited signs from the smoke and soot (Zimmer, 1992). The satellite image in Illustration Two is an aerial view showing the expanse and extent of the smoke cloud covering in the region from the raging oil fires in the Persian Gulf Coast: Illustration Two: Retrieved from http://www.c-3.org.uk/Multimedia/Reports/Gulf%20war_Poonian.pdf The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) reported only 10-15% of the sun’s radiation was permitted to get through the plumb (Hobbs & Radke, 1992). Likewise atmospheric temperatures were reduced causing certain forms of plant life to suffer and die as a result from no exposure to the sun for long periods. As additional damage done to the environment, this occurrence of certain ground areas inability to receive sunlight and the radiation from the sun explains why the vegetation and ground cover did not return in certain areas (Hobbs & Radke, 1992). Ecological Devastation and Aftermath Two specific events occurring during the Persian Gulf War had tremendous and severe impact on the environment in the region. The first event took place in January 1991 when millions of barrels of crude oil were emptied into the Persian Gulf from tankers and oil reservoirs off the coast of Kuwait. The second event happened one month later when approximately 700 Kuwaiti oil wells, storage tanks, refineries, and facilities were blown up and set on fire by the Iraqi military (Jalali, Aminipouri, & Fatchi, 1998, pp. 606-608). In the final analysis, an estimate of 900 million barrels of oil were burned and spilled onto the land and into the waterways over the remainder of 1991 (Zimmer, 1992). The consequences were the clouds and trails of smoke and the soot from the fires that engulfed the northern and southern regions of Iraq. During the peak period of the fires, the wells were emitting about 5,000 tons of smoke daily in a plume over 1, 288 kilometers (approximately 800 miles) that included neighboring Iran and other adjacent countries. The fall-out from the smoke plumes in forms of dry and wet particles of precipitation insulated the area (Jalali, Aminipouri, & Fatchi, 1998, pp. 608-614). The full extent of the ecological devastation and aftermath of the first Gulf War is an ongoing investigation with ecological studies attempting to understand the affects the smoke and the soot from the fires had on life in the region. Jalali, Aminipouri, and Fatehi (1998) used a scientific analysis to show the variances between the growths of vegetation in the year before the war and observed the reduction in the growths in the year following the war’s end. The main objective of their study was to gauge the short-term effects of pollution on the natural vegetation in the area as a result of the smoke plume and the acid rain fallout (pp. 606-607). Whereas their investigation focused on the short-term effects of the pollution their reports substantiated the likelihood of the long-term effects being similar in nature and possibly more pronounced from the extended exposure to the destructive elements from the war. Their studies also observed the extinction of many forms of indigenous plants in the region because of the fallout from the dust particles and the diminished radiation of the sun (pp. 609- 614). Environmental Conditions and Long Range Concerns Evaluating the long range affects from the first Persian Gulf War is challenging because the fighting between warring factions in the area continues. However, despite the destruction the resiliency of humans, plants, and animals continues to find ways to regenerate and reproduce making the adjustments to the evolving environment. The resiliency is witnessed in the ongoing birth of babies and the regeneration of plant life. To understand and analyze the long range effects of the Gulf War on the people in the region presents many challenges. Because of the close-knit family and community structure within the Kuwaiti culture there were many traumatic losses sustained from the death of family members. The closeness within families and the companionship of the extended family suffered tragically because of the destruction of villages, towns, and cities (U.S. Library of Congress, 2011). Understanding how groups of people recover from such losses sustained in war torn areas and from the upheaval war causes is immeasurable because of the unknown factors associated with processing grief. Additionally, how people adjust and persevere after enduring such horrific losses caused by war cannot be measured or understood, but can only be evaluated through observation and reflection in efforts to make reasonable assessments as to the long range affects. Undeniably the physical and emotional elements of the human experience offer verifiable evidence that war is wholly destructive and the aftermath of certain traumatic events uncertain, but the ability to say inconclusively the effects from the losses and the devastation of war can be systematically charted and displayed for evaluation is untrue. With astounding scientific discoveries and technological advancements the ability to understanding how life recovers from events such as wars and disasters is still relatively unpredictable and unknown. Summary/Conclusion Attempting to analyze the effects the first Persian Gulf War had on the environment is a complex undertaking because the fighting in the area has not stopped. Shortly after the end of the first war the fight against terrorism began. However by examining the environment the losses are enormous and the impact of the fighting is resulting in devastating effects on the environmental infrastructure and the Earth’s ability to compensate for the losses sustained. Evaluating the short term affects of the war in the Persian Gulf region can be seen in the barrenness and desolation in the ruins left behind from the fighting. However on the other hand evaluating the long-range repercussions is far more complicated to determine simply because an assessment of the conditions are inconclusive and the future consequences are unknown. What is known about the effects of the first Gulf War on the Persian Gulf region is that war is a penetrating caustic force that touches and changes every form of life it comes in contact with. The descriptions and pictures reveal some of the effects sustained in the region confirming the fact that war destroys governments, cultures, traditions, human life, animals, plants, lands, waters, and the atmospheric conditions in the regions where fighting occurs. The information presented in this essay confirms war causes irreversible damage and creates lasting impressions on the environment and the ecological systems long after the fighting is over. The Persian Gulf War unlike wars fought in other areas in the world was particularly threatening because of its strategic global location and its economic value worldwide. Whereas the war’s effect on the environment was the primary focus of this essay the economic implications were just as devastating for the region. The fighting in the Persian Gulf began because of oil and it was oil that caused the environment such horrific damage. The massive oil spills affected the land, numerous native animals and indigenous plants peculiar to the region, and the airways. Oil and its voluminous smoke plumes created atmospheric conditions researchers have yet to fully analyze and comprehend. As a casualty of war, the environment continues to sustain injury after the fighting has stopped. It is the hidden remains of war that have the potential of far greater destruction rather than the DU encased bullets or nerve gas. The environment continues to suffer after the fighting from the remains of radioactive material buried in the ground leaking it destructive properties into the soil which affects food supplies and wildlife. Similarly, it is the remains of radioactive parts that are kept in storage sites in which the deadly residue continue to threaten the health and safety of life and the environment. The instruments of war present immediate dangers, but it is the remains of war that create the possibilities of further destruction and devastation of life. The effects from the Persian Gulf War demonstrate the severity of the consequences of fighting and how the tactics of war have the capability and the capacity to affect the future of life as we know it. The first Persian Gulf War revealed how malicious and sinister war is and demonstrates how the attacks against the environment have reverberating affects that penetrate every facets of life. References "Direct attacks on the environment could one day be prosecuted as war crimes." The Futurist Nov.-Dec. 2003: S9. General OneFile. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. Retrieved from http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC- Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=IPS&docId=A110524290&source=gal e&srcprod=ITOF&userGroupName=uphoenix&version=1.0. Doc. Number:A110524290. Enzler, S.M. (Sept 2006). 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