DUBAI – The ongoing war inflicted on Gaza has caused environmental damage that extends far beyond the immediate destruction that affects the crucial aspects of the community said the Malaysian Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change minister, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at COP28.
In an exclusive interview, he highlighted the climate impacts of warfare, that has placed pressure on agriculture disrupted farming practices, damaged arable land and undermined food security.
Using the platform under the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change summit, last week Nik Nazmi, in a keynote speech said the Israeli occupation does not allow the Palestinians their right to improve climate resilience.
Since Oct 7, the Israeli military has bombarded Palestine with an estimated 40,000 tonnes of explosives.
"This disruption often leads to long-term consequences, jeopardising livelihoods and exacerbating hunger and poverty,” he said, adding that water sources are frequently compromised during prolonged conflicts where Gaza has long been on the receiving end of it.
Contaminations from debris and pollutants pose a health risk to the population while damaged infrastructures put pressure on the water systems, disrupting supplies to the people of Gaza.
"The scarcity of clean water and energy further intensifies humanitarian crises, contributing to the spread of diseases and compromising overall public health," he said.
Nik Nazmi emphasised that climate change affects people first, either directly or by aggravating the existing issues where an increase in extreme weather events can cause a direct threat to human lives and properties.
The intersection of war, climate and human rights emphasises the interconnected nature of these challenges and this underscored the urgency for coordinated global action without the consequences on agriculture, water sources and human rights injustice will persist and escalate for the people of Gaza if a complete ceasefire was not imposed.
"Those who live in extreme poverty should have the ability to access necessities such as food and water," he said.
Nik Nazmi said COP addresses global sustainability efforts as a shared challenge and the same can be applied to the situation in Gaza that requires cooperation amongst nations and parties to address the immediate consequences of the war, calling for action to work towards a sustainable solution.
"The intertwined nature of ecological and geopolitical issues in this context underscores the need for comprehensive approaches that address both immediate concerns and the underlying causes of the conflict and as such the global community must continue its pressure to demand an end to all attacks on Gaza,” he said, adding that allowing the region to rebuild itself with a focus on resilience and ensuring that reconstruction efforts can contribute to long-term environmental stability.
He said Malaysia’s continued support to addressing climate change is essential, especially in vulnerable regions but first, a ceasefire must be imposed and end all assaults on Gaza as well as an unrestrained occupation of its land.
The ongoing bombardment of Gaza, he said, does not only inflict immediate damage to the environment through the destruction of infrastructure but it also has broader implications for the region.
"The extensive use of explosives contributes to air and water pollution, disrupts ecosystems, and creates hazardous conditions for both the environment and the population," he said.
The attacks has intensified environmental degradation that indirectly intensifies existing geopolitical tensions in the region. Scarce resources like water have become even more contested and intensified conflicts over access and control, additionally, the destruction of infrastructure hampers the region's ability to build its resilience to climate change, making communities more vulnerable to its impacts.
"This is a clear case of climate injustice which must not be ignored,” he added.