*[Enwl-eng] UWEC Work Group Issue # 19

[enwl]

UWEC Work Group Issue # 19
                              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!

                                Two years have passed since the start of 
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war and occupation of Donbas 
and Crimea, however, began a decade earlier. Naturally, such a protracted 
conflict negatively affects not only ecosystem protections, but also the 
development of civil society in the region. These last two years have been 
the most difficult, and an “East-West” confrontation may yet develop. Global 
human society has not known such a degree of tension since, perhaps, the 
Cold War. In reckoning with the full-scale invasion, the UWEC Work Group 
editorial team and our experts review the most significant, in their 
assessment, environmental consequences of the war:


                                a.. Two years of the full scale invasion. 
Reflections on environmental consequences

                                War has a devastating impact on civil 
society and community initiatives. While civil society activists have 
demonstrated a high level of solidarity and the volunteer movement is strong 
during this full-scale invasion, the fighting is a distraction from 
important projects and initiatives, including environmental issues. In 
totalitarian and authoritarian countries such as Russia and Belarus, civic 
activism is persecuted. And if in Belarus these repressions began in 2020 
even before the war, then in Russia repression may still be gaining 
momentum. Read about the persecution of environmental activists in Russia in 
2023 in our analysis of an Ecological Crisis Group report:

                                a.. Environmental activism under attack: 
Persecution of the environmental movement in Russia

                                One potentially significant consequence of 
the full-scale invasion could lead to a global energy crisis. Growing 
divisions of the world into “West” and “East” is leading toward a new 
colonialist race for influence in developing countries. On the one hand, 
Russia, the European Union, and the United States seek to protect themselves 
in the context of this growing energy crisis, while on the other, they also 
want to preserve and develop their regional interests. Investments in 
large-scale projects are often the result, including, for example, the case 
of the Rogun hydropower plant in Tajikistan. Read hydropower expert Eugene 
Simonov’s assessment of the latest developments related to construction of 
one of the most harmful projects in Central Asia, both in terms of 
environmental harm and socio-political stability:

                                a.. ‘А la guerre comme à la guerre’: 
Military geopolitics see return of controversial megaprojects

                                One of UWEC’s most important areas of work 
is identifying “green” recovery solutions. Our experts have repeatedly 
spoken out against the restoration of the Kakhovka dam’s reservoir. Despite 
that coverage, we have not written much about alternative solutions for the 
two biggest challenges – energy and agriculture. In a new article, UWEC Work 
Group experts share their assessment that modernized irrigation planning and 
development of a more efficient energy generation system makes it possible 
to avoid rebuilding the morally- and structurally- obsolete Soviet-era 
Kakhovka hydropower plant.

                                a.. Rebuilding the Kakhovka Dam is a 
mistake, but what should be done instead?

                                UWEC Work Group publishes a monthly review 
of events, projects, and news related to the environmental consequences of 
Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In the latest release, you can learn about 
several analytical and visualization tools, including Ukrainian Nature 
Conservation Group’s Biodiversity Viewer. We have also summarized the 
highlights of an expert discussion broadcast by Ukraine’s Dim TV network on 
the state of nature reserves and national parks in Ukraine including Viktor 
Shapoval, director of Askania-Nova Nature Reserve, currently under Russian 
occupation. Lastly, we also track government and inter-governmental projects 
focusing on the war’s environmental consequences, such as the “Environmental 
Pact for Ukraine,” including assessing the degree to which experts and 
community organization representatives are able to participate. Read more in 
this issue:

                                a.. Environmental consequences of the war in 
Ukraine: February review

                                As always, we monitor the environmental 
consequences of the invasion on our website, on Twitter (X), and on Facebook 
and Telegram.

                                We wish you strength and peace!

                                Alexej Ovchinnikov
                                Editor, UWEC Work Group


























                  UWEC · Charnali, 2 · Charnali 6400 · Georgia




            From: UWEC Work Group
            To: enwl at enw.net.ru
            Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 9:25 AM
            Subject: UWEC Work Group Issue # 19


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