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Ukraine: A War on Nature

As the war in Ukraine continues, Tom Heap asks about its environmental impacts. While the focus is understandably on saving human lives, the environment is also a major casualty.

It's said that the environment is the silent victim of war. In this programme, Tom Heap finds out how the conflict in Ukraine is affecting environmental work in the country. With so many people forced to flee, what happens to projects which were trying to protect fragile wildlife habitats? He talks to an award-winning Ukrainian environmentalist who has had to temporarily abandon his conservation project around Chernobyl in order to help with the humanitarian aid effort. Meanwhile, with airstrikes taking place in some of the most industrialised areas in the east of the country, the risk of long-term contamination from damaged coal mines and nuclear installations is very real. Tom asks what lessons can be learned from previous wars around the world, and discovers how long-lasting the environmental impacts of military action can be. How can environmental concerns be can be given a voice, instead of remaining the silent victim, at a time when the focus is understandably on saving human lives?

Produced by Emma Campbell

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Wed 25 May 2022 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 24 May 2022 15:30
  • Wed 25 May 2022 21:00

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