Nature in Ukraine

In February 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Among its many horrific impacts, the war is aggravating the already enormous effects of climate change and inflicting severe ecological consequences that will remain for decades and generations.

Shortly after the conflict began, a handful of environmental activists, experts, and journalists from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and the United States (that’s where we come in) created the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group (UWEC). The group tracks the war’s environmental impacts, verifies reported damage, and evaluates proposals for a just, sustainable, and “green” post-war recovery, and, finally, shares its analyses of events on the ground in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s communities, landscapes, and biodiversity are critical to its role in feeding the world and the country’s ecosystems (home to 35% of the Europe’s biological diversity) are critical biodiversity strongholds for Europe.

We work side-by-side with the UWEC editorial team, ensuring publication of high-quality English language materials to maximize reach to potential audiences around the world.