The science of destruction (IES, 2020)

In this introduction to the June 2020 edition of the Journal of the Institution of Environmental Sciences, Oli Brown reflects on the enduring environmental toll of warfare, using the devastating legacy of Agent Orange in Vietnam as a stark example. Beyond the immediate destruction, Brown highlights the long-term impacts of environmental damage on human suffering, resource-driven conflicts, and post-war recovery.

While war has always been a “science of destruction,” there is hope in evolving international norms, such as treaties banning chemical weapons and landmines. Brown emphasizes the growing role of environmental scientists in peacebuilding, showcasing how better environmental governance can mitigate conflict and aid recovery in war-torn regions.