Gulf War and the Environment

by Farouk El-Baz

Images of the environmental disasters brought about by the Gulf War have been spread throughout the world via broadcasts by CNN and numerous other media, but the damage is more enduring than sound bites or feature articles can convey. The Gulf War and the Environment presents an in-depth analysis of the environmental disasters, their long-term consequences, and potential ways to repair some of the damage. It is essential reading for students, researchers, and other environmental professionals as a timely study of war's devastating effects on the environment.
The Gulf War inflicted dramatic environmental damage upon the fragile desert and shore environments of Kuwait and northeastern Saudi Arabia. Coastal and marine environments experienced oil spills of more than 8 million barrels, which killed wildlife and damaged the fishing industry. In inland Kuwait, hundreds of oil lakes are scattered across the desert these lakes emit noxious gases, drown insects and birds, and may seep to p

206 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1994