*[Enwl-eng] UWEC Work Group Issue # 23

[enwl]

UWEC Work Group Issue # 23
                              We are continuing to analyze the environmental 
consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.


                                We are continuing to analyze the 
environmental consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.








                                Dear Friends!



                                The main events in June this year were 
conferences and presentations of research on the environmental consequences 
of the Kakhovka hydropower plant dam’s sabotage in 2023. The good news is 
that the short-term consequences were not as catastrophic as experts had 
feared. No dust storms developed, desalination and blooming persisted for 
just a few months in the Black Sea, and local species, such as willow and 
poplar, have grown on the bed of the former Kakhovka reservoir instead of 
invasive plant species. However, the disaster itself raised two important 
questions that remain relevant for the environment in Ukraine and the region 
today: how to hold the aggressor accountable for this ecocide and how the 
country will be restored once the war is over. Read more about the 
conferences and the results of the research dedicated to the anniversary of 
the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in our traditional review:


                                a.. Environmental Consequences of the War in 
Ukraine: June 2024 Review

                                Over the past year, Ukrainian scientists 
have organized more than five expeditions to the bed of the former Kakhovka 
Reservoir. The research was conducted in close proximity to the frontline, 
so it has not yet been possible to carry out a full analysis. In addition, 
there is no data from the left bank of the Dnieper, which was severely 
damaged during the flooding. We also should not forget that while the war 
continues, threats of new disasters and pollution remain. The Zaporizhzhia 
nuclear power plant, located on the shore of Kakhovka Reservoir, still 
stands in the danger zone. In this issue you can familiarize yourself with 
the preliminary results of expeditions, results give hope of a green future 
for Ukraine:


                                a.. One year after the terrorist attack at 
Kakhovka Hydropower Plant: 1B trees instead of desert and willow forests 
unique to the continent

                                Some experts have described the issue of 
water resources as a cornerstone of this war, citing the need to guarantee 
water supply to the North Crimean Canal as one possible reason for Russia’s 
full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the war has not resolved the “water 
issue”, and new research shows that with proper management and modernization 
of the agricultural and infrastructure sectors, Crimea is capable of 
independently meeting its water needs. We hope that this will happen when 
the peninsula is liberated. UWEC expert Eugene Simonov explores Crimea’s 
problematic stewardship of water resources:


                                a.. The thirsty peninsula: How much water 
will Crimea need in the future?


                                Discussion of the issue of Ukraine’s green 
recovery continued in June at the Ukraine Recovery Conference. 
Unfortunately, military needs are still a top priority for the country, and 
for now Kyiv views the solution to the acute issue of energy security 
through an industrial prism: specifically, through the construction of 
nuclear and hydroelectric power plants, which it sees as compromise “green” 
solutions. Nevertheless, environmental organizations continue to advocate 
for more ambitious goals in post-war restoration projects for Ukraine. Read 
about the conference’s outcomes in this article by Ukrainian journalist 
Viktoria Hubareva:


                                a.. Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024: What 
were the key environmental takeaways?


                                War upends the natural order, forcing living 
organisms to change their habits and adapt. This primarily concerns 
migratory species, such as birds. Destruction of long-term nesting areas, 
disruptions to civil aviation, shelling, and military activity affect almost 
all bird species, including birds of prey, forcing them to change their 
behavior and habitats. This all comes with environmental consequences, 
disrupting local ecosystems. Read more about the war’s impact on raptor 
populations in Ukraine in this article by Viktoria Hubareva and Stanislav 
Viter:


                                a.. Has the war forced eagles to alter their 
migration routes in Ukraine?


                                You can explore other stories and news 
related to the consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 
our website, on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Telegram.

                                We wish you strength and peace!

                                Alexei Ovchinnikov, Editor, UWEC Work Group
























                  UWEC · Charnali, 2 · Charnali 6400 · Georgia




            From: UWEC Work Group
            Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2024 8:14 AM
            Subject: UWEC Work Group Issue # 23




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