Our Planet Climate and Geopolitics
It will take between 60 to 80 years for Ukraine’s forests to be returned to their pre-war conditions, according to the Conflict and Environment Observatory. Since 2014, almost 40 per cent of Ukraine’s ecologically important areas have suffered occupation, with shelling and other military activities damaging an area equivalent to nearly a million football pitches. A third of Ukraine is now covered with landmines and other explosive ordnance, making it the most mined country in Europe. At the same time, it is home to 35 per cent of Europe’s biodiversity and one in three species under protection. A separate study found vulnerable greater spotted eagles had shifted their migration route over Ukraine to avoid conflict areas, lengthening their trip and delaying their arrival at breeding grounds.