The Environmental Legacy of Warfare

Abstract

The acknowledgment of the environmental ramifications stemming from warfare and mass violence has recently gained traction as a recognized facet within environmental history. It draws upon various familiar disciplines, ranging from the history of state formations, social structures, and economics to military tactics, demographic shifts, disease history, and historical geography. Military historians have traditionally delved into the significance of terrain and weather in campaign planning and management. Furthermore, they have frequently documented military planners' considerations regarding the manipulation of natural resources crucial for their strategic objectives, and even the utilization of natural processes, such as fire, as tools of warfare. However, their focus primarily centers on the human aspects; they seldom extend their analysis to contemplate the resulting alterations in ecosystems. They perceive Nature merely as a backdrop, overlooking its role as a consequence of mass violence.