One predictable casualty of Israel and the US attacking Iran has been fiery and explosive attacks on water-desalination plants, oil refineries, as well as shipping and oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.
These incidents haven’t just been disastrous because they’ve led to higher gas prices…
(Almost $4/gal? Quelle horreur! 😆 Quit your bitching: In Cali, gas has been $4+/gal. since early 2021 and, now, is over $6/gal).
The bombing, setting ablaze, and sinking of oil tankers and refineries in the region is a solely human-caused environmental disaster of epic proportions, which is affecting and will affect marine, human, and wildlife for generations to come.
Here’s how:
- Toxic air quality: Plumes of thick black smoke from burning tankers and refineries contain sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter. Residents of Tehran have already reported oily, black “rain” and widespread respiratory issues.
- Water scarcity: Attacks on desalination plants and the risk of oil spills clogging intake pipes directly threaten the primary water supply for millions of people.
- Food security: Contamination of fisheries and the destruction of coastal habitats endanger the livelihoods of fishing communities for generations.
- Critically-endangered species: The world’s second largest population of endangered dugongs, as well as green and hawksbill turtles have significant numbers there. Past spills have led to near total-annihilation of turtle populations.
- Habitat destruction: Oil spills have disastrous effects on coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows.
- Arabian Peninsula is a major migratory crossroads: Smoke and explosions are disrupting their routes, and oil-coated feathers lead to mass drownings and hypothermia for thousands of sea birds.
IF you can, please support one or more of these organizations that work tirelessly to preserve marine habitats and rescue marine and avian life affected by Middle Eastern conflicts, including potential oil spills and environmental damage from the 2026 Iran war:
- the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which works on oiled wildlife,
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which protects marine ecosystems
- WildAid also supports marine enforcement
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Engages in global conservation efforts that can include habitat protection
- Marine Megafauna Foundation (marinemegafauna.org): Actively monitors and works to protect large marine species, such as whale sharks and manta rays, which may be impacted by military vessels and underwater noise in the region.
Avian and migratory birds:
- Congress of the Birds: This group specifically works on rehabilitating seabirds in the region, focusing on those affected by the ongoing bombings and environmental degradation
Local NGOs:
- Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF): A non-profit that applies science and fieldwork to conserve wildlife and habitats within Iran, involving local communities in conservation efforts.
- Plan4theLand Society: Focuses on the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity, including educational programs like "Eco-Kids" that highlight endangered marine species like the hawksbill sea turtle.
- Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS): While primarily focused on land mammals, they are a key player in broader Iranian wildlife protection and biodiversity monitoring
- Thank You!
