The war in Gaza produced 4 million tons of carbon dioxide in 600 days.

Arab Weather - As the aggression on the Gaza Strip continues for more than 600 days, the repercussions of the war are not limited to human losses and infrastructure, but extend to planet Earth itself. Recent estimates indicate that the ongoing military operations have emitted approximately 4 million tons of carbon dioxide, one of the most prominent greenhouse gases.

Large numbers reflect the scale of the environmental disaster.

This figure is enormous when compared to the emissions of entire countries. For example, it is roughly equivalent to what a country like Iceland or Malta produces in an entire year. It also exceeds the emissions of some developing countries for more than a year, placing war among the major climate-change-causing activities despite the limited geographic area in which it occurs.

Fuel, destruction, and fires are sources of carbon emissions.

These emissions are produced by warplanes, missiles, tanks, and military vehicles, in addition to the widespread fires sparked by the bombing, which have affected residential buildings, factories, and civilian facilities. Initial reconstruction operations between periods of escalation have also contributed to increased emissions, due to the heavy use of building materials and fuel.

Climate impact of carbon emissions

Climate-wise, this massive amount of carbon dioxide contributes to global warming and leads to more climate disruption and extreme events such as heat waves and heavy rainfall. Although the focus often falls on major industrialized nations, this war stands out as a vivid example of how armed conflicts have become a significant source of global climate deterioration.

As the world grapples with the world's relentless efforts to reduce emissions and address the climate crisis, this reality raises fundamental questions about the cost of wars on the environment and calls for considering climate security as an integral part of human security. What happens in Gaza doesn't just stay in Gaza; its impact reaches the atmosphere we all share.