TEHRAN – Nature is part of our community, but unlike people, it is silent, and this silence is the most dangerous sign of its suffering, an official from the Ministry of Environment said.
Iran is a treasure trove of biodiversity, from ancient Hilakanuan forests in the north to mangrove forests along the south coast, to the heights of oaks-covered Zagros to the network of permanent, seasonal wetlands across the land. These habitats are essential not only for Iranians but for the entire planet. The IRNA quotes Iraj Heshmati as saying.
Referring to Iran’s UN resident coordinator, Stephen Pleenor’s sympathetic message following the 12-day war imposed by Israel on Iran, stated that these statements were humane, responsible and respectable, but not sufficient in terms of the fact that they could not include the environment. Support for Iranians becomes sustainable when the environment and nature is taken into consideration.
Sustainable development means meeting current needs without destroying the resources and opportunities of future generations. Within this framework, human health and the environment are interrelated, and protecting both is essential to maintaining the life and sustainable security of the country.
When missile attacks and explosions target parts of energy infrastructure facilities with some of harmful pollutants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and toxic gases from fossil fuel burning.
Noise pollution caused by the destruction of loud, affected homes, including birds, killed several species in both urban and natural environments, affecting trees and vegetation.
“The silence of birds, crumbling trees, and more polluted air means nature is not hurt, but not screaming. The environment is our quiet citizens, there is no right to vote, no shelter, no voice reflected in the media, but that is the basis of all our rights,” Heshmati emphasized.
Under UN General Assembly Resolution 47/37 and treaties such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Ramsar Convention (UNEP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) must impartially assess and report the environmental impact of the crisis’s conflict. In other parts of the world, UNEP responds and offers independent reporting within 48-72 hours. However, no reports have been released to highlight the impact of the war on Iran.
Deliberately or unintentionally, this delay is a sign of double standards being applied when dealing with environmental crises in various countries, and is an issue that undermines public confidence in the equity of international organizations.
International organizations are expected to use their legal capabilities and properly meet legal commitments to Iran’s ecosystems. If peace is not merely a lack of war, but a existence of justice, then the climate should not be ignored. And when nature is silent, in a language of recognition and responsibility, not only its voice, but also the awakened conscience of the global community.
“The intentional creation of an environmental crisis”
The DOE vehemently condemned the recent attacks by the Zionist regime on fossil fuel storage facilities as a deliberate creation of an environmental crisis and a clear violation of international principles and commitment to environmental protection.
The attacks on fossil fuel storage facilities and other devastating explosive actions have caused widespread pollution and environmental degradation, the DOE said in a statement.
In addition to directly threatening public health and local ecosystems, these irresponsible actions have led to the release of toxic and pollutants that have long-term effects on air quality, water resources and natural habitats.
The intentional creation of an environmental crisis is a clear violation of international principles and commitment to environmental protection.
Attacks on energy infrastructure and release of toxic contaminants pose serious threats to local biosecurity.
These vandalism occurs when regional countries are striving to comply with global treaties, including the United Nations Environmental Agreement and treaties related to pollution prevention.
The Environment Agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and other regional and global environmental groups to take the necessary actions to stop the destruction and prevent the continuation of such environmental disasters.