A Pressing Issue of the Modernized World: The Impact of Military Activities on the Aesthetic Value of the Environment
DOI: 10.32743/UniSoc.2026.130.3.22139
A Pressing Issue of the Modernized World: The Impact of Military Activities on the Aesthetic Value of the Environment
Aghakishieva Tahmina Suleiman
Doctor of Philosophy on Philosophy, Associate Professor of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Science Institute of Philosophy and Sociology
Department of Aesthetic Azerbaijan, Baku E-mail: tahmina.aghakishiyeva@gmail.com
Актуальная проблема модернизированного мира: влияние военной деятельности на эстетическую ценность окружающей среды.
АAгакишиева Тахмина Сулейман
Доктор философии по философии. Доцент Института Философии и Социологии Национальной Академии Наук Азербайджана
отдела Эстетики. Азербайджан, город Баку . "Man has lost the ability to foresee and predict. He will end up destroying the entire globe."
A. Schweitzer
(German–French philosopher)
Annotation: One of the most important tasks of the state policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan is to ensure environmentally friendly living conditions for people, promote the rational use of natural resources, and ensure environmental protection. The paper examines the main types of pollution, their sources, and negative consequences for humans and the biosphere. Additionally, the article highlights the consequences of military conflicts and the environmental impact of military activities. The study briefly highlights the environmental consequences of the Karabakh War, the Vietnam War, the armed conflicts between Israel and Iran, the well-known bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Keywords: Environment, war, ecological problem, ecosystem, humanity
Аннотация: Одной из важнейших задач государственной политики Азербайджанской Республики является обеспечение экологически благоприятных условий для проживания людей, рационального использования природных ресурсов и охраны окружающей среды. В работе рассматриваются основные виды загрязнения, их источники и негативные последствия для человека и биосферы. Кроме этого, в статье освещаются вопросы последствия военных конфликтов и влияния военной деятельности на окружающую среду. В исследовании кратко подчеркиваются экологические последствия Карабахской, Вьетнамской войны, вооруженных конфликтов Израиля и Ирана, всем известная бомбардировка Хиросима и Нагасаки.
Ключевые слова: Окружающая среда, война, экологическая проблема, экосистема, человечество
Introduction.The declaration of 2010 as the “Year of Ecology” and 2024 as the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the hosting of World Environment Day on 5 June 2026 in Azerbaijan, once again confirms that addressing environmental challenges and ensuring environmental protection remain among the top priorities of the Azerbaijani state. “The history of life on Earth has been a history of interaction between living things and their surroundings. To a large extent, the physical form and the habits of the Earth’s vegetation and its animal life have been molded by the environment. Considering the whole span of earthly time, the opposite effect, in which life actually modifies its surroundings, has been relatively slight. Only within the moment represented by the present century has one species – man acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world”[1,p.9]. The causes of environmental pollution can occasionally be part of natural phenomena. With rare exceptions, natural pollution does not have harmful consequences and can be easily neutralized by natural forces. However, there are natural pollutants that can cause serious problems, but these are rare exceptions rather than the norm.For example, the famous "Death Valley" in Kamchatka is located near the Kikhpinich volcano. In windless weather, this cloud kills all living things. Thermal springs are located on its slopes, and they emit poisonous gases, steam, and boiling water, which is why this area is justifiably called the "Death Valley". “The volcano reaches a height of 1,532 m. The western side of the volcano consists of several natural terraces that descend in steps to the river. Hot springs have formed on the terraces, surrounded by clouds of steam. The largest cluster of springs is located on the terrace near the ground.” [5.web]. Research scientists cannot give an exact answer to what is happening in the «Valley of Death».
“There are several theories about what is happening, but none of them have been proven:
§ vapor containing carbon monoxide, carbon, hydrogen sulfide, etc. Its effect is similar to the hunters' memories, but death from this gas is slow, not instant.
§ Chlorocyanic gases.Its effect on the body is instant death, but the concentration must be like in a gas chamber. Chloroform also kills everyone.Chlorine gas also leaves no one alive. The fact is that «Death Valley» is surrounded by a toxic environment. [6.web].
As soon as the snow melts, animals and birds die in a certain order, but thanks to their sense of smell, bears usually manage to quickly leave the dangerous area. As for humans, since we don't have such a developed sense of smell, we are unable to leave the dangerous area in time. The gases have a nerve-paralyzing effect, causing suffocation and cardiac arrest. At the same time, scientists have concluded that this area poses a danger only during specific time intervals. “The gas is released periodically, and at other times, there is an ordinary atmosphere where animals can live. Another option is that the rising wind literally clears the valley. However, studies conducted by scientists have shown that the gases do not disappear over time and remain in the lowlands permanently. Their concentration remains unchanged, as evidenced by the discovery made by the gamekeeper in 2019.”[7.web].
It should be noted that of all human impacts on the environment, the greatest danger is posed by the pollution of air, land, rivers, and seas with hazardous and even deadly substances. “In this pollution, which has now become universal, chemicals are the sinister and still little-studied partners of radiation, taking part in the transformation of nature itself, the world, and the nature of life on Earth” [1. p.9. ibid].
Military activity as a factor in the transformation of environmental aesthetic value.In recent years, there has been considerable discussionaboutsaving the planet from environmental disaster, with all world leaders agreeing on the need for immediate action. Many resolutions, programs, and measures have been adopted to reduce air pollution, the use of hydrocarbons and harmful chemicals in industry and agriculture, combat landfills and plastic pollution, and maintain biodiversity. In recent years, considerable attention has been devoted to saving the planet from an environmental catastrophe, and world leaders largely agree on the necessity of immediate action. Numerous resolutions, programs, and measures have been adopted to reduce atmospheric emissions, limiting the use of hydrocarbons and harmful chemicals in industry and agriculture, combating landfills and plastic pollution, and preserving biodiversity. However, there appears to be one domain that remains largely unaffected by contemporary environmental concern—military activity. Undoubtedly, even the earliest wars inflicted environmental damage. The digging of pits (for traps and other military purposes) led to soil degradation, while deforestation and the deliberate use of fire for military objectives destroyed entire ecosystems. Similarly, the ancient practice of poisoning wells and other sources of fresh water destroyedaquatic flora and fauna. The long-standing and historically “effective” tactic of scorched earth may also be included among such practices. It is widely acknowledged, even without empirical proof, that war harms not only human society but also the natural environment. Nevertheless, during armed conflicts, this vital issue receives insufficient attention. Explosive devices profoundly alter the landscape: mountains are destroyed, depressions and lowlands are formed, and, as a consequence, local ecosystems are severely disrupted.
“Toxic gases settle in the soil for prolonged periods, rendering it unsuitable for agricultural use, while the vapors subsequently released from the contaminated soil pollute the air. Moreover, military equipment (including tanks, military aircraft, and naval vessels) is not subject to standardized regulations governing harmful exhaust emissions. When such equipment is submerged in rivers, lakes, or seas, large quantities of toxic substances are released, resulting in oil spills and other adverse environmental consequences. In addition, large burial sites located in conflict zones exert a significant negative impact on the quality of soil and water resources.” [8. Web]. In addition to all of the above, war causes severe economic damage, which in turn undermines rational and sustainable natural resource management. As a consequence, excessive and predatory exploitation of natural resources occurs, including large-scale deforestation and the environmentally detrimental extraction of mineral resources, leading to a range of adverse and often irreversible outcomes. “Military operations lead to the extinction or mutation of numerous plant species. Shell explosions, the construction of fortifications, deforestation, and fires destroy particularly sensitive vegetation. It is indisputable that explosions, fires, the release of toxic substances, and the impact of heavy military equipment associated with warfare also harm animal life, while munitions striking water bodies stun and kill large numbers of aquatic organisms”[8.web.ibid]. It should be emphasized that although ancient wars were brutal and bloody, they had a relatively limited destructive potential due to the "incomplete" development of technology. However, the current scientific and technological revolution has eliminated the geographical barrier for the use of military technology. Space and air, water and subsoil, and the Earth's surface, including the extreme cold zones, are now accessible for active military operations.It needs to be repeated that military activities have a negative impact on the environment, both during wartime and in peacetime.It is important to note that waging war through the deliberate destruction or alteration of the environment is indeed an environmental war. The term "environmental war" reflects the essence of military influence on the natural environment in order to make it impossible for humans to live in it.“The historical fact is known from 146 BC, when ‘after the destruction of the city of Carthage, the Romans covered all the fertile lands in its vicinity with salt, making them unsuitable not only for farming but also for growing most types of plants, which, given the proximity of the Sahara and the hot climate, led to the desertification of the land” [3, p. 184]. “A classic example of an environmental war is the US war in Vietnam (mid-1960s to 1973). The territory of Indochina was used as a testing ground for new types of weapons, including environmental weapons” [2, pp. 31-32].Hiroshima and Nagasaki are two Japanese cities that were targeted by a nuclear attack by the United States in 1945. The consequences are still being felt in Japan, as survivors of the events suffer from diseases caused by radiation exposure. The ecosystem of these cities has been severely affected, but surprisingly, some radiation-resistant trees in Japan continue to grow to this day. In addition to the enemy's manpower and equipment, the natural environment became a target of military attacks during the 1990-1991 war in Kuwait. This was because the deliberate destruction of Kuwait's ecosystem was seen as a specific and effective means of weakening the enemy.Television, as a source of information, announced a short-lived war between Israel and Iran (June 13-24, 2025), emphasizing that a small amount of radioactive material had been released after the attack on Iran's nuclear weapons. However, the environmental contamination did not spread. However, if the leakage of radioactive substances had increased in size, it would have had serious consequences for the environment and humans. In his research, the author believes that regardless of the size, a possible leak or release of radioactive substances would cause immense problems for humanity and the environment, as the waste would contaminate soil, rivers, and the atmosphere, causing significant harm to all living beings. Karabakh War: In one of his speeches, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said: "Although the conflict has ended, unfortunately, the severe consequences of Armenia's thirty-year military aggression persist, posing a significant threat to human life and the environment. Armenia, by committing ecocide, urbanicide, and cultural genocide in our territories, which it has long held under occupation, has polluted and poisoned our lands and rivers, destroyed our forests, and demolished our cities and villages, as well as planted numerous mines that threaten the right of people to live here and cause serious damage to the environment" [9. web.]. The term "ecocide" was coined by American bioethicist Arthur Galston in 1970, who defined ecocide as "the deliberate and persistent destruction of the environment in which people can live as they choose. "Scholars such as Richard Anderson Falk (an American emeritus professor of international law at Princeton University), who was the first to study the concept of ecocide in detail, proposed an international convention on the crime of ecocide in a 1973 publication. Later, in 1996, Canadian-Australian lawyer Mark Allan Gray published his work "The International Crime of Ecocide," which attempted to establish the existence of this concept in international law and analyze the possibility of recognizing ecocide as an international crime." [10.web.].It should be noted that since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijani eco-activists have been holding a one-month-long protest in Karabakh against Armenia's illegal exploitation of Azerbaijan's natural resources. The demonstrators raised a large balloon with the message "Stop the Ecocide" on the Lachin-Khankendi road and continued to chant slogans such as "Azerbaijan is the Master of Its Own Subsoils," "No to Ecocide," "Stop the Ecoterror," "End the Ecological Crimes," and more. The author of the study believes that the ecocide committed by the Armenian occupiers against Azerbaijan should be a cause for concern for the entire international community, given that "planetary security" is included in the list of basic "supranational" values and interests, and that ecocide should be treated similarly to other international crimes, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity. “Ecocide is often referred to as a problem for the entire international community.’ In addition, the mass exploitation and destruction of natural resources usually transcend national borders, representing transnational offenses that affect the interests of multiple states. In this regard, urgent and coordinated efforts at the international level are required” [10.web. ibid]. The Armenian occupiers in the previously occupied territories not only destroyed nature, but also sought to destroy it is ties to the historical memory of the Azerbaijani people. During the occupation period, they set fire to forests in Shusha, Fizuli, Jebrail, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin, Kalbajar, and other areas. In addition, they actively mined the land in Fizuli, Aghdam, Jebrail, Zangilan, and other cities.
Methodology:
The methodological framework of the study is based on an interdisciplinary approach integrating environmental aesthetics, social philosophy, and ecological studies. The research applies:
• a systemic method for analyzing the interrelation between military activity and environmental transformation;
• a comparative analysis of pre-conflict and post-conflict landscapes;
• a phenomenological approach to examine changes in the perception of aesthetic value;
• elements of ecological and cultural analysis to assess the long-term impact of militarization on environmental identity;
This methodology enables a comprehensive evaluation of both the material and symbolic consequences of military activity on environmental aesthetics.
Research Aim:
The objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of military activity on the aesthetic value of the environment in the context of the modernized world, to identify the mechanisms through which military processes transform natural and urban landscapes, and to determine the philosophical, aesthetic, and ecological consequences of these transformations.
Conclusion. Based on the conducted research, the following conclusions can be formulated: The 21st century has been marked by the bloodiest wars in human history. “Countering climate change is our most important and difficult long-term task. Climate change will lead to higher year - round temperatures and sea levels, more destructive hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, floods, and periods of extreme heat; it will also affect the availability of resources such as water.” [4, p. 67]. It is necessary to emphasize that, according to environmental scientists in the United States, Russia, and China, the point of irreversibility in the purification of water on the planet will be reached by 2050. According to scientists' forecasts, in the future, every drop of fresh water may become valuable due to the scarcity of this resource. It is both interesting and frightening to wonder how much water will cost in the future.The environment is defined as a set of natural factors that shape the conditions of human existence, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. The nature of the impact of a large-scale nuclear war on the environment is such that, wherever it begins, the result will be the same: a global biospheric catastrophe.There should be no illusions about the possibility of anyone surviving a nuclear war. It is important to emphasize that, in addition to the above, the author of the work emphasizes several key, negative aspects of military life in an aesthetic direction: the ruins of cities, the destruction of monuments, the barbaric extermination of flora and fauna, the destruction of cultural heritage sites, and so on. In all of this, aesthetic value and aesthetic taste lose their relevance.
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