Jasper Domigos Kassoma

Various scholars have engaged the case of the Russian-Ukraine conflict from a political, economic and humanity point of view. 

Although there have been many other wars which are fought in the world, the Russian-Ukraine conflict is the point of interest as it needs clear interrogation and scientific explanation from all perspectives. I, therefore, think it is very important to look at the Russian-Ukraine crisis from the scientific point of view, and also to draw attention to human lives, and the impact the conflict has on the environment and the future of the planet in general.

In 2021, the world came together with unity of purpose to find ways that would address climate change in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Namibia, like other nations, sent her delegation to represent and participate in the long negotiations, and benefited massively. Little did we know that the world was stepping into a blink of conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The scientific argument has always been sidelined when it comes to political matters, but it’s playing a major role in the day-to-day events that affect human life.

The Ukrainian forest continues to suffer harshly with civilian-turned-soldiers digging trenches and some cutting down trees to improve their line of defence. 

At the moment, the world needs every little tree it can get to help in the reduction of carbon dioxide, and these mere trees play a significant role. It is an open secret that war contributes to the loss of habitat, and eventually to the fauna and fora. The destruction of the forest and mud-towing tanks are causing severe damage. Similarly, this is what is happening at the Mozambique war against terror in SADC. All parts of the world that are at war do more harm to the environment. We are experiencing societal and environmental changes that occur in insecure and conflict-affected areas. 

How is trade affected?

I am of the belief that unlike in Syria, Jordan, Ethiopia, Libya, Iraqi-Iran and the Afghanistan war, the Russian-Ukraine tension cannot be ignored amid climate change and its geopolitics. In fact, no conflict should be ignored at all.

Armed conflicts reverse economic development, and because of little business activities in these territories, we are of the generic belief that there is a reduction in the emissions that contribute to climate change. However, this does not justify an endorsement of any act of fighting. Concurrently, we are witnessing the rise in commodities, with gas estimated to reach N$20 per litre or worse, and inflation continuing. These will imply that nations such as Namibia which rely on imports will have to have a way how to revive their economies, given the circumstances of Covid-19 and the Ukraine-Russian tension. Namibia already invested heavily in affected conflict areas, especially in terms of education and investment, where students have withdrawn from that region and the GIPF investment of about N$500 million in Russia.

The informal businesses that found a way to interject the status quo and sell online are in shambles as their business operations are interrupted by the conflict and sanctions imposed on Russia. I happen to have young friends who buy their tech stocks from China, and now allege that some routes where their products pass through are closed. Some of their products are solar panels and by the look of things, their customers, specifically those based in rural areas, will resort to burning wood and using petroleum products for energy. This poses a threat in the realisation of clean energy and reductions of carbon emissions to 1.5% as per the Paris agreement and the recently-concluded COP26.  

Nuclear weapons as toxic substances are capable of killing, injuring or incapacitating individuals, but worse is the unparalleled damage to the environment and threats to future generations. The radioactive activities at the warfront make territory inhabitable and leads to people leaving their homes. History has recorded a loss of biodiversity and species’ extinction in war-torn countries, and little can be said with the Siberian Tigers within Ukraine and Russian Territories and Canis simensis (Ethiopian wolf) in Ethiopia. Underground water could also be contaminated by explosive detonations, which result in unsafe consumable water and infecting vegetation which normally kills them.

Law on chemical warfare

Namibia’s approach at the international level of ‘enemy to none and friend to all’ directed her to abstain amid the Ukraine-Russian conflict. I am of the view that this attitude betrays Namibian’s history and efforts to economic emancipation. The government’s position is literally implying a neutral stand, while the masses are deprived of access to the international market where they can share the technology of helping in extenuating climate change.  What the world can do is advance diplomatic efforts and find an amicable solution by peaceful means. Climate change is within us, and requires the world to walk the talk and implement all ways of adapting and strengthening efforts on reducing greenhouse effects.

There is a need for implementation and respect to international treaties and agreements at the international level. We also must stop the culture of public-directed opinion without scientific facts. Andrew Heywood coined the study of politics as a science. Therefore, scientific politics will indeed help us to have better judgements in international activities. How do we achieve carbon zero-emission when international communities, specifically the West, are war-mongers and contribute massively to the ongoing tension and ignore international agreements of NATO, for instance? What the world is advancing is a question of the rule of law and efforts to prevent catastrophic phenomena associated with climate change.