Severe deterioration in food-energy-ecosystem nexus due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine war: A critical review

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 1:902:166131. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166131. Epub 2023 Aug 9.

Abstract

The Russia-Ukraine war is having far-reaching negative impacts on the food-energy-ecosystem nexus and has resulted in an increase in environmental pollution not only in the war-affected regions. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the degradation caused by the war and its implications for the food-energy-ecosystem nexus. By examining the specific environmental impacts, this review provides an in-depth understanding of the extent of the damage and its consequences for the interconnected systems of food production, energy supply, and the overall ecosystem. Furthermore, this review addresses the impacts of the ongoing war on the food-energy-ecosystem nexus and underlines the challenges associated with resource recovery in the aftermath of the war. It also highlights the war impacts on the essential commodities' supply chain. Moreover, a plausible strategy for post-war ecosystem restoration has been presented in order to prioritize on the recovery and rejuvenation of the environment. This review also attempts to act as a wake-up call to the urgency of achieving a cease-fire, as the long-term effects of the war would include permanent environmental harm in addition to human and economic losses.

Keywords: Environmental degradation; Inflation; Resource recovery and ecosystem restoration; Russia-Ukraine war.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ecosystem*
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Food*
  • Humans
  • Russia
  • Ukraine