The UK-based Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, which also included the core team that prepared “Mizan: World Environmental Convention” with Üsküdar Üniversitesi, published the “Gaza Declaration”. The declaration highlighted that the pollution caused by one of modern war's most lethal and destructive bombardments in air, soil, and water, and noted that the war produced more planet-warming gases than the annual emissions of 20 climate-sensitive countries.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Environmental Ethics Forum, stated that the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Environmental Ethics Forum shared the declaration published regarding Israel's destruction of all living species, the climate, and the environment, in addition to the humanitarian tragedy it caused in Gaza.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Environmental Ethics Forum, evaluated the Gaza Declaration shared by the UK-based Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences/EcoIslam (IFEES/EcoIslam).
UK-based foundation investigates how Islamic teachings can be linked to environmental protection
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir stated that the UK-based Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences is one of the first organizations to conduct studies aimed at developing environmental awareness and sustainable living practices in the Islamic world, noting that the foundation investigates how Islamic teachings can be linked to environmental protection and ecological balance, and organizes education and awareness programs on this matter.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also explained that through its activities, the Foundation aims to increase both social and environmental well-being by combining religious and scientific approaches to ecological problems, and reminded that the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences was part of the core team, along with Üsküdar Üniversitesi, that prepared the “Mizan: World Environmental Convention”.
Israel Destroys Climate and Environment, Besides Causing Humanitarian Tragedy in Gaza
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, stating that the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Environmental Ethics Forum shared the declaration published regarding Israel's destruction of all living species, the climate, and the environment, in addition to the humanitarian tragedy it caused in Gaza, used the statements in the declaration: “The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences/EcoIslam (IFEES/EcoIslam) shares its grief and sorrow over the immense damage inflicted daily upon people, the climate, and nature in Gaza.”
Gaza Declaration pointed to Israel's relentless attacks continuing for over 100 days
The Gaza Declaration, stating that many of the critical global risks facing humanity are linked to the triple planetary crises identified by the United Nations (UN) as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, drew attention to the following issues:
“For the residents of Gaza and the West Bank, Israel's relentless attacks, ongoing for over 100 days, have multiplied the magnitude of these risks manifold.
“The destruction of living spaces deprives Palestinian farmers and fishermen of their livelihoods.”
The pollution caused by one of modern war's most lethal and destructive bombardments in air, soil, and water is now leading to an interconnected climate, environmental, and health crisis. Lack of access to clean water, breathable air, and healthy sanitary conditions acts as a catalyst for the spread of disease, disability, and deaths. The destruction of living spaces deprives Palestinian farmers and fishermen of their livelihoods. The climate impacts of this war, including post-conflict reconstruction costs, must be calculated.”
“This war produced more planet-warming gases than 20 climate-sensitive countries' annual emissions”
According to a recent study, the declaration noted that this war produced more planet-warming gases than the annual emissions of 20 climate-sensitive countries, stating: “The study estimates that Israel’s aerial bombardment and military intervention accounted for over 99% of the 281,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted in the first 60 days of the conflict. This is equivalent to burning at least 150,000 tonnes of coal. During the same period, rockets fired by Hamas into Israel produced an estimated 713 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to burning 300 tonnes of coal. Given the scale of destruction caused by this war, all indicators suggest that the climate cost of post-conflict reconstruction will be enormous.”
Damage caused by the war mapped
The declaration continued, stating that experts mapping the damage caused by the war found that Israel’s bombardment of densely populated areas in Gaza had already exceeded the damage caused by Allied bombing of Cologne and Dresden during World War II by early December 2023:
“According to The Guardian, citing the UN, over 65,000 housing units have been destroyed, and 290,000 more have been damaged due to bombardments and conflicts. To put this into context, this is equivalent to over 600,000 people's homes being destroyed in 90 days in a city the size of Glasgow or Bristol in the UK. While the world witnesses the destruction caused by thousand-pound bombs dropped on densely populated residential areas, this might suggest that the damage is solely inflicted on the men, women, and children living there, with environmental pollution being less visible.”
“Humanitarian costs are immense and growing”
The declaration also noted that humanitarian costs are immense and growing, stating: “In the first 95 days, over 23,000 deaths, mostly women and children, and over 50,000 severe injuries have been reported. An estimated 7,000 people are missing and presumed dead, their bodies yet to be recovered from under the rubble. Israel has forcibly displaced over 1.2 million people. Furthermore, by blocking access to adequate food, water, and medicine, it has condemned 2.2 million civilians to starvation. While all this unfolds openly, powerful states ignore and even obstruct the application of international humanitarian law.”
What is the damage to climate and environment?
The declaration also drew attention to climate and environmental casualties, emphasizing the following:
“The climate and environmental legacy of this war in the occupied Palestinian territories is clearly another casualty of war and will have generational impacts for a nation living in one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions. The truth is, every one of us living on this planet will bear a share of this damage. Humanity can choose to live in balance and harmony with the planet, or we can make choices that cause immense harm to people, to the land, air, seas, and all living creatures with whom we share our world. We, at IFEES/EcoIslam, add our voice to those calling for an immediate halt to the war in the occupied Palestinian territories and urgent action for a peaceful, just, and sustainable world. On this occasion, IFEES/EcoIslam urges citizens and governments to make the following calls:”
Call to citizens and governments…
• Immediate provision of safe and adequate access to water, sanitation, food, and fuel, which are essential for ensuring social, economic, and ecological health and well-being;
• Cessation of widespread water and air pollution that fuels diseases and ailments; taking action to prevent further damage to the climate and environment;
• An end to efforts to ethnically cleanse and displace the Palestinian people, to occupy and seize their lands and other assets, and to effectively sever their connection to the land and seas on which they depend;
• The fair application of international law, without fear or favor, to achieve peace and sustainability as quickly as possible. To mitigate the human misery, and climate and environmental impacts caused by this and all conflicts;
• Reconstruction and restoration efforts addressing the climate and environmental impacts of this war on the land, water, and seas that form the foundation of the economy and ecology in Palestine.
• The catastrophe created by the lost innocent lives is evident for all humanity. Less evident is the environmental destruction caused by this war and its long-term damage to the climate. War has always had visible human, material, and financial costs. We now have the knowledge and understanding to shed light on the hidden costs: which are the impacts of war on the climate and environment, endangering the future of people and the planet.”
The declaration also made a call to citizens, stating: “We, at IFEES/EcoIslam, are trying to make more citizens aware that the insidious and long-term effects of climate and environmental destruction caused by wars, literally being blown to pieces by bombs, and those in a position to influence the outcomes turning a blind eye to it, further exacerbates immediate human suffering. We call for peace, justice, and sustainability for Palestine now and immediately!”