The ongoing intense conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance has put not only the global economy but also the Earth's delicate ecosystem on the brink of disaster. This war, which has been ongoing for 34 days, has resulted in the emission of massive amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxides due to millions of tons of ammunition and missile attacks.
Experts estimate that this war could lead to a rise in global temperatures by 2.3 to 2.5 degrees Celsius. The black smoke and toxic particles released from attacks on oil refineries and gas depots are causing serious health issues, including cancer, heart, and lung diseases. 'Black toxic rain' has been reported in several areas, including Tehran, which is a deadly mixture of chemicals and ash from burning oil.
Military activities in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea have caused irreparable damage to marine life. The targeting of each other's naval vessels and ports by the US and Iran has led to massive oil spills in the sea, threatening the existence of rare marine creatures, turtles, and coral reefs. Additionally, attacks on desalination plants have disrupted the supply of fresh water, exacerbating the drinking water crisis in Gulf countries.
In the first 14 days of the war alone, over 5 million tons of carbon emissions occurred, equivalent to the annual pollution from approximately 1.1 million cars. This polluted debris and heavy metals have the potential to contaminate soil and water sources for decades. The impact of the Iran conflict is now also being felt in the weather patterns of South Asia.
Recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms in North India and the Delhi-NCR region are being attributed to atmospheric changes caused by the war. The issue of this toxic smoke reaching India has also been raised in the Rajya Sabha, raising concerns about air quality being affected in border states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
However, meteorologists state that the geographical distance between India and Iran, along with the vast Himalayan mountain range, acts as a protective shield, preventing toxic clouds from directly entering Indian territory. Nevertheless, if the jet stream strengthens, fine soot particles could pollute the Indian atmosphere.
