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Wim Zwijnenburg

@wammezz.bsky.social
16K followers 1.3K following 470 posts

Environmental open-source investigations, tracking drone warfare, research based advocacy for PAX, contributer Bellingcat.

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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
There is growing uptick in investments and production of #drones in Africa, including #Ethiopia were internal conflict is driving demand. We spoke with @afp.com together with @sipri.org and @crisisgroup.org experts on concerns over growing deployments www.france24.com/en/live-news...
france24.com
Ethiopia boosts drone production to fight rebels
Ethiopia has been manufacturing drones at two factories since last year and is now thought to have a fleet of thousands, analysts say, giving the government an edge against its multiple insurgent enem...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Being proud of such a great collaborative efforts of experts working to use #remotesensing to map conflict-damage and now the DDMG has been awarded the AGU Open Science Team prize. Thanks to all, in particular @jamonvdh.bsky.social and Corey Scher for leading on this. www.agu.org/user-profile...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Very inspiring new report by @iaionline.bsky.social to track environmental crimes using @esa.int satellites. A helpful overview on the basics and applications of #earthobservation and supporting broader discussions on #ecocide and conflict- linked environmental damage www.iai.it/en/events/ea...
iai.it
Earth Observation against Environmental Crimes: Report Launch
The event will be an opportunity to present the new IAI report on the use of new technologies to combat and monitor environmental crimes, titled “Earth Observation against Environmental Crimes: A Revi...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Amazing work by Ukraine Nature Conservation Gruoip on how Russia's invasion of #Ukraine affected 13% of all its protected areas. A rich resource with in-depth analysis of nature reserves, biodiversity loss and recommendations for recovery Full report available here: uncg.org.ua/en/pas-ukrai...
uncg.org.ua
Protected Areas Network of Ukraine: Consequences of russia's Militar Aggression against Ukraine - Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group
The authors propose an original methodology for screening the overall number of damaged areas within the Protected Areas Network.
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Reposted by Wim Zwijnenburg
Alison Killing @alisonkilling.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: AI has made warfare faster and more lethal, but hasn't made it easier to win. Our deep dive on how AI is being integrated into the battlefield, with @johnthornhill.bsky.social @digitalcampbell.ft.com @fabricedeprez.bsky.social and Charles Clover as.ft.com/r/948d5342-a...
as.ft.com
The era of AI warfare has arrived
Autonomous systems are being rapidly integrated on the battlefield, as models advance in ways even their creators cannot fully predict
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The @icrc.org shared the outcome documents Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to #IHL. We've contributed with analysis participation in expert meetings on naval warfare and the #envirnoment and the work making promising progress www.upholdhumanityinwar.org/sites/defaul...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Timely new introductory course on IHL and Protection of the #Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts by the @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social. Moving on from formulation to implementation of policies is necessary next step, and congrats to the team shop.icrc.org/teaching-out...
shop.icrc.org
Teaching Outline: Protection of the Natural Environment in Armed Conflict An Introductory Course
Deepen your teaching of international humanitarian law with this ready-made outline. This introductory course equips university lecturers and teachers to teach the legal principles protecting the natu...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Bad weather conditions have prevented #Oman from starting salvage operations. The ship has been leaking crude oil for hundreds of kilometers since late June, and call are to declare it a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) for environmental protection www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/oman...
tradewindsnews.com
Oman seeks protection after shadow fleet suezmax spill
Authorities say bad weather has affected salvage efforts after grounding and oil leak
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Good to see that the @uninvhrc.bsky.social on #Syria is also investigating the environmental damage from military activities, including the use of #herbicide and destruction of orchards by #Israel. See more in our PAX investigation on this paxforpeace.nl/news/israel-...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Very strong visual explainer by @crisisgroup.org on how critical mineral extraction are fueling the war in #Myanmar and the wider environmental and subsequent health costs to communities involved in mining, rich with satellite imagery and ground footage www.crisisgroup.org/visual-expla...
crisisgroup.org
The Critical Minerals Linking Myanmar’s Civil War to the World
A new visual investigation shows how Myanmar's civil war is at the heart of jade, tin, gold and rare earths global supply chains
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Mongabay @mongabay.com · 10/09/2026
South Sudan’s Boma and Badingilo national parks, famous for massive antelope migrations, were designated a #UNESCO World Heritage Site. Conservationists hope the status brings needed support to protect key habitat for shoebills and birds migrating across Africa. Ryan Truscott reports.
mongabay.cc
World Heritage status for South Sudan parks will be a boon for the birds
The onset of the rains in South Sudan around April each year is accompanied by a remarkable avian spectacle. “There are so many storks that they kind of look like flies in the sky,” said Megan…
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The destruction of #Gaza's sewage systems by Israel now backfiring, causing cross-border impact due the warming water and algae growth that is affecting desalination plants on Israel's coastal areas. Here visible with satellite imagery at #Gaza's coast www.haaretz.com/opinion/edit...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The quest for firewood has driven large scale deforestation in #Sudan's Sunut Reserved Forest at its Khartoum capital. Here's a latest @planet.com derived satellite analysis showing that over 80% of its trees have been cut down t.co/PqZqZizglP
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Ongoing strikes on tankers and other ships in the Middle East and Black Sea are causing serious environmental impacts. These new Tanker Wars are a stark reminder of to step up protection of the marine environment during armed conflict. Here's our take why paxforpeace.nl/news/the-new...
paxforpeace.nl
The New Tanker Wars and Risks to Protected Areas at Sea - PAX
Emerging weapon technologies and tactics targeting civilian oil tankers and other ships are resulting in widespread pollution incidents in the Middle East and the Black Sea. Early August, States are m...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Widescale damage to build-up areas, massive demolitions of tunnels and houses, scorched earth tactics of using incendiary weapons to destroy crops and orchards, with wider environmental concerns. Israel is accused of making southern Lebanon 'unlivable'. archive.is/S4wB9
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Ukrainian drone strikes hitting Russian vegetable/sunflower oil storage and processing facilities on the coast with the Black Sea near Volno at the Kerch Strait, leading a large fire and spill of this oil into the sea, visible on satellite imagery from @planet.com / @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
With thousands of ships mooring in coastal areas in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman due to the economic blockade, there is major risk of a bio-invasion superspreader event, scientists are warning. Another impact of naval warfare on the #environment link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Closure of the Strait of Hormuz may trigger a bioinvasion super-spreader event - Biological Invasions
The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are causing substantial humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical impacts and disrupting global trade. While the human and economic effects remain the focus of ...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
New findings from health authorities in #Gaza show how conflict-linked damage to water infrastructure, driving salinization of groundwater, bacterial contamination of wells and is worsening the spread of communicable diseases www.facebook.com/dmuneer.albo...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
In #Myanmar, rare earth minerals have become key resource fueling the war machine, while also coming with severe environmental costs. Polluted agricultural areas, poisoned water sources and decline of wildlife in forested areas. Important read via @grist.org grist.org/internationa...
grist.org
How war in Myanmar is driving a deadly rare earth mining boom
Decades of conflict have left Myanmar vulnerable to a secretive industry that is polluting communities and endangering workers.
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
With over 60 millions tons of debris containing asbestos, battery acids, hydrocarbons and other hazardous materials, researchers fear a long-term chronic health risks for Palestinians in #Gaza who are exposed on a daily basis to toxic dust www.nybooks.com/online/2026/...
nybooks.com
Gaza’s Deadly Soil | Helen Epstein
Long before October 2023, Gaza’s people suffered international sanctions, a humiliating occupation, and periodic Israeli bombardments. Few could leave the
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Helpful overview here by our friends of @investigativ.greenpeace.de / @greenpeace.org on the oil pollution the the Sea of Azov following the large-scale campaign to target Russia's #shadowfleet of oil tankers and other vessels, showing over 100km2 of detected spills.
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Reposted by Wim Zwijnenburg
Copernicus ECMWF @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Huge plumes of smoke are crossing North America from the intense #wildfires in Canada. The region has seen severe air quality degradation, including in the State of New York, hours ahead of the #WorldCup Final. #CopernicusAtmosphere is closely monitoring: atmosphere.copernicus.eu/extreme-wild...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Conflict-linked marine pollution is spiking in the Persian Gulf, new #remotesensing research finds. An increase of 4x more spills from targeted oil facilities and ships, leaks and dumps, all risking protected areas, desal plants and marine life. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Close-up image of one of Russia's shadow fleet tankers that Ukrainian #drones hit early July, still burning a week later on July 14.
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
"Destruction of infrastructure, and the global economic costs, the war is exacerbating existing climate vulnerabilities and exposing the people of the region to an increasingly dangerous and nearly uninhabitable reality." @time.com on the Iran-war and #climatecrisis time.com/article/2026...
time.com
How the Iran War Worsens the Climate Crisis
"The war against Iran is intensifying existing climate vulnerabilities and exposing the people of the region to an increasingly dangerous and nearly uninhabitable reality," write Sarah Yerkes and Alej...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
The Gulf of Oman is facing severe pollution from ongoing strikes on civilian vessels, mooring ships dumping contaminated bilge water and substances. The targeting of tankers is already causing massive oil spills, seen below. The recent strike on Mombasa-B on July 14 raises wider concerns.
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Another large oil spill detected in the #BlackSea, roughly 125km2 on July 11. Although other causes can't be ruled out, it's likely that this leaking oil tanker was also hit UA #drones targeting Russia's shadowfleet. h/t @elkangoo.bsky.social
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Here's our updated analysis of the targeted Russian #shadowfleet in the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov with yesterday and today's 🛰️ from @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social and @planet.com. Mostly light oil sheens at the moments, some reaching coastal areas.
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Update of our analysis using @planet.com imagery on Ukraine's campaign to target Russia's shadow fleet of tankers and other vessels in the Strait of Kerch with #drone strikes, with now at least 76 ships claimed to be targeted.
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
The strikes on Russia's oil fleet are resulting in visible spills with recent @planet.com and @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social imagery on the marine and coastal environment at the Kerch Strait
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Wildfires are leaving complete forests and protected areas burned. In the face of the #climatecrisis, but also driven by conflict, open-access tools can monitor this destruction. Together with @galen.reich.me.uk we wrote this methodology for @bellingcat.com www.bellingcat.com/resources/ho...
bellingcat.com
Burning Forests: Tools for Tracking and Reporting Wildfire Damage - bellingcat
Learn how to track wildfire damage using satellite imagery and QGIS to measure burn severity, map impacts and report on fire trends.
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Reposted by Wim Zwijnenburg
Frank Slijper @frankslijper.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
New report by @privacyinternational.org & @paxforpeace.nl out today: 'When algorithms go to war Tech giants, the arms industry and the weaponisation of AI paxforpeace.nl/publications...
paxforpeace.nl
When algorithms go to war  - PAX
Tech giants, the arms industry and the weaponisation of AI
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Very sad and infuriating news to read that the environmentalist Mona Kahlil died from her wounds after her house was bombed by #Israel. We visited her place a few years ago in Mansouri, and her work was invaluable for region. 💚🖤 www.nytimes.com/2026/06/20/w...
nytimes.com
Mona Khalil, Defender of Sea Turtles, Killed in an Israeli Strike in Lebanon
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Frank Slijper @frankslijper.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Op weg naar Den Haag voor hoger beroep in zaak slachtoffers van mosterdgas in Irak-Iran oorlog tegen Melchemie. Nederlands chemiebedrijf leverde willens en wetens grondstoffen voor Iraaks gifgas. www.ftm.nl/artikelen/me...
ftm.nl
Nederlands chemiebedrijf leverde willens en wetens grondstoffen voor Iraaks gifgas
Vandaag, op 15 juni, gaat het hoger beroep van start van gifgasslachtoffers tegen het voormalige bedrijf Melchemie. Dat leverde in de jaren tachtig grondstoffen voor chemische wapens aan Irak. Uit nie...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Israel continues its use of #whitephosphoros in #Lebanon, despite the serious risk of civilians exposure and wider concerns over impacts on the environment and livelihoods. We spoke with @sanjanamv.bsky.social of the @nytimes.com , joined by @baydoun.nl and others www.nytimes.com/2026/06/06/w...
nytimes.com
What Visual Evidence Tells Us About Israel’s Use of White Phosphorus in Lebanon
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Reposted by Wim Zwijnenburg
Chris Osieck @chrisosieck.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Analysis by @sanjanamv.bsky.social on Israel’s use of white phosphorus in Lebanon and the dangers it poses to public health and the land, with a reference to @baydoun.nl's visual database documenting its use and commentary from @wammezz.bsky.social. .
nytimes.com
What Visual Evidence Tells Us About Israel’s Use of White Phosphorus in Lebanon
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Forum on the Arms Trade @forumarmstrade.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
REPORT now available - May 20 event Emerging expert @nyeinnta.bsky.social has authored a post-webinar report based on the discussion w/ Taras Fedirko & @wammezz.bsky.social. Check it out now and share. www.forumarmstrade.org/blog/hybrid-...
forumarmstrade.org
Hybrid Drone Warfare: Closing Gaps in Control Regimes and Supply-Chain Governance
This post-webinar report was primarily authored by Nyein Nyein Thant Aung, based in part on the conversation at the webinar detailed below. The Forum on the Arms Trade provides a platform for sharing....
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
New imagery from @planet.com showing two Turkish-origin Bayraktar AKINCI armed drones at the Bahir Dar airbase in central #Ethiopia. Recent footage released by Sudanes Armed Forces of a shot down AKINCI claims that these drones are operating over #Sudan coming from Ethiopia
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
"Military strikes on civilian-critical infrastructure must be condemned if we are to build a just and sustainable future." A welcome editorial by @nature.com on how wars pose a ongoing threat to the environment and people depending on it. nature.com/articles/s41...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Beyond the use of #depleteduranium in anti-armor piercing munitions that the US and UK shipped to Ukraine, and used in Russian stocks, we now also have #DU drones, adding another toxic and radiological risks to public health. www.kyivpost.com/post/76541
kyivpost.com
Ukraine Warns of Radioactive Dust After Russia ‘Uses Uranium’ in Drone Missiles
SBU said on Wednesday its investigators detected higher-than-usual radiation on fragments of an R-60 air-to-air missile recovered in the northern Chernihiv region after a drone attack on April 7.
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
With over 270 Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, the environmental consequences are being felt throughout the country, and undermine citizens' trust in the government response to adequately deal with it as environmental groups are banned. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/w...
nytimes.com
As Ukraine Hits Oil Refineries, Russians Pay a Heavy Environmental Toll
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Strikes by Israel took out the Khuzestan Steel Factory. Here's a great investigation by @baydoun.nl @chrisosieck.bsky.social and @ntabrizy.bsky.social with 3D and high res imagery showing the location, impact and implications for @newlinesmag.bsky.social newlinesmag.com/reportage/ho...
newlinesmag.com
How Israeli Airstrikes Targeted Iran's Steel Industry
Satellite imagery, geolocated footage and 3D reconstruction show how strikes on two plants hit critical production bottlenecks, disrupting a sector tied to 1.2 million jobs
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Forum on the Arms Trade @forumarmstrade.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Register now to join us Wednesday for "Hybrid Drone Warfare and the Future of Control Regimes" 📅May 20, 2026 ⏳10:00-11:00 AM EDT w/ Taras Fedirko, ​​Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social and Nyein Nyein Thant Aung www.forumarmstrade.org/events.html#...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Er is een bekend gezegde onder anti-fascisten. "If there’s a Nazi at the table and 10 other people sitting there talking to him, you got a table with 11 Nazis" www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...
nrc.nl
Markuszower verwacht belangrijk te blijven voor coalitie, ook na zijn oproep tot geweld
Radicaal-rechts: DNA-leider Gidi Markuszower blijft bij zijn extreme uitspraken, maar denkt niet dat hij daardoor een paria zal worden. „Ik kan niemand dwingen met mij te praten, maar ik denk dat iede...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
A disturbing trend as armed #drones are now the leading cause of deaths in #Sudan with 880 people killed in 2026 already, while the use of these killing machines is growing in the country and region. Timely piece by @markssimon.bsky.social archive.is/hkPW6
archive.is
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Forum on the Arms Trade @forumarmstrade.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Hybrid Drone Warfare and the Future of Control Regimes May 20, 10-11AM EDT * Taras Fedirko, Assistant Professor, Univ. of Glasgow ​​* Wim Zwijnenburg, Project Leader in Humanitarian Disarmament, PAX @wammezz.bsky.social * Nyein Nyein Thant Aung (moderator) www.forumarmstrade.org/events.html#...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
The 60km oil slick originating from Kharg island is now moving southwards, seen on both optical and radar imagery. These incidents are more frequently occuring since the start of the conflict and pose additional environmental pressure on marine ecosystems in #Iran www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/c...
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
How bomb craters can be helping biodiversity. Very interesting piece showing that despite concerns over war impacts on soil from heavy metals and energetic materials, it can also provide a new source life and recovery, and a glimpse of hope. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
From V2 rocket-scarred London to Ukraine: how nature thrives in bomb craters
In the UK capital, Bomb Crater Pond is full of wildlife, while scientists studying land obliterated by recent Russian blasts 1,500 miles away have seen ‘how quickly nature begins to heal itself’
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
The ongoing war in #Sudan is also affecting its natural resources. The country is facing a rapid decline of forests due to firewood needs from affected communities. Here's a gripping story by @unep.org on the Sunut forest in #Khartoum that is decimated www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
unep.org
Can this iconic Sudanese forest come back from the brink?
Once a symbol of growth and prosperity, observers say the felling of the Sunut Forest is a stark illustration of the environmental damage caused by Sudan’s civil war.
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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
The latest World Bank Damage and Need Assessment on #Gaza states that 'environmental collapse is intensifying health and livelihood risks', in particular from untreated waste water, waste burning, pollution from debris and UXOs. Full report can be found here: reliefweb.int/report/occup...
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