The ongoing conflict in Gaza has not only caused immense human suffering but has also left a devastating environmental impact, as highlighted by a recent preliminary assessment from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The assessment underscores the rapid escalation of soil, water, and air pollution, posing significant risks of irreversible damage to Gaza’s natural ecosystems. UNEP’s urgent call for an immediate ceasefire aims not just to save lives but also to mitigate the severe environmental consequences of the conflict.
正如联合国环境规划署(UNEP)最近的一份初步评估所强调的那样,加沙持续的冲突不仅造成了巨大的人类苦难,还造成了毁灭性的环境影响。评估强调了土壤、水和空气污染的迅速升级,对加沙的自然生态系统构成了不可逆转的破坏的重大风险。联合国环境规划署紧急呼吁立即停火,不仅是为了拯救生命,也是为了减轻冲突造成的严重环境后果。
The environmental devastation in Gaza is profound and multifaceted. Critical infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, has been severely damaged or destroyed. All five of Gaza’s wastewater treatment plants have ceased operations, leading to sewage contamination of beaches, coastal waters, soil, and freshwater sources. This contamination introduces a host of pathogens, nutrients, micro-plastics, and hazardous chemicals, endangering the health of Gazans and jeopardizing marine life and agricultural lands.
加沙的环境破坏是深刻和多方面的。包括供水和卫生系统在内的关键基础设施遭到严重破坏或摧毁。加沙所有五个污水处理厂都已停止运作,导致海滩、沿海水域、土壤和淡水水源受到污水污染。这种污染带来了大量病原体、营养物质、微塑料和危险化学品,危及加沙人的健康,并危及海洋生物和农业用地。
The conflict has also generated an unprecedented amount of debris—estimated at 39 million tonnes—equating to over 107 kg of debris per square meter across the Gaza Strip. This debris includes dust and is contaminated with unexploded ordnance, asbestos, industrial and medical waste, and other hazardous substances. The presence of human remains buried beneath the rubble further complicates cleanup efforts, necessitating sensitive and careful handling.
冲突还产生了空前数量的碎片,估计有3900万吨,相当于加沙地带每平方米超过107公斤的碎片。这些碎片包括灰尘,并受到未爆炸弹药、石棉、工业和医疗废物以及其他有害物质的污染。埋在废墟下的人类遗骸使清理工作更加复杂,需要小心谨慎地处理。
Comparing the scale of explosive use in Gaza to historical conflicts offers perspective on the extent of destruction. While not reaching the magnitude of World War II or Vietnam, the use of munitions containing heavy metals and explosive chemicals in Gaza’s densely populated areas has inflicted significant soil and water contamination. The destruction of infrastructure, including solar panels, has introduced additional risks such as lead leakage into the environment, further complicating recovery efforts.
将加沙的爆炸使用规模与历史冲突进行比较,可以对破坏程度有所了解。虽然没有达到第二次世界大战或越南战争的程度,但在加沙人口稠密地区使用含有重金属和爆炸性化学品的弹药造成了严重的土壤和水污染。包括太阳能电池板在内的基础设施遭到破坏,带来了铅泄漏到环境等额外风险,使恢复工作进一步复杂化。
The environmental impact extends beyond Gaza’s borders, affecting neighboring countries and the broader region. The deterioration of air quality due to fires, burning fuels, and infrastructure destruction poses health risks regionally. Water pollution from Gaza’s compromised sanitation systems threatens marine ecosystems and fisheries, which are crucial for regional food security and economic stability.
其对环境的影响超出了加沙的边界,影响到邻国和更广泛的地区。火灾、燃料燃烧和基础设施破坏造成的空气质量恶化构成了区域性健康风险。加沙卫生系统受损造成的水污染威胁着海洋生态系统和渔业,而海洋生态系统和渔业对区域粮食安全和经济稳定至关重要。
Recovering from such extensive environmental damage will require substantial resources and time. Similar conflicts, like those in Afghanistan and Iraq, have shown that environmental recovery can span decades. Given the scale of destruction in Gaza, rebuilding infrastructure, restoring environmental management systems, and clearing debris will necessitate significant international support and cooperation.
从如此广泛的环境破坏中恢复需要大量的资源和时间。类似的冲突,如阿富汗和伊拉克的冲突,表明环境恢复可以跨越几十年。鉴于加沙的破坏规模,重建基础设施、恢复环境管理系统和清理废墟将需要大量的国际支持与合作。
Israeli Atrocities and Violations of International Law 以色列的暴行和违反国际法
The conflict in Gaza has been marked by indiscriminate and disproportionate Israeli airstrikes and bombings, which have resulted in widespread civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction. These actions have not only violated international humanitarian law but have also had severe environmental consequences. The use of advanced munitions and explosives in densely populated areas has led to extensive soil and water contamination, posing long-term risks to public health and environmental sustainability.
加沙冲突的特点是以色列不分青红皂白和不成比例的空袭和轰炸,造成了广泛的平民伤亡和基础设施的破坏。这些行动不仅违反了国际人道主义法,而且还造成了严重的环境后果。在人口稠密地区使用先进弹药和炸药导致广泛的土壤和水污染,对公众健康和环境可持续性构成长期风险。
Israel’s military operations in Gaza have targeted critical infrastructure, including water and sanitation facilities, exacerbating environmental degradation. The deliberate destruction of Gaza’s wastewater treatment plants has led to the discharge of raw sewage into coastal waters and freshwater sources, posing serious health risks to Gazans and threatening marine ecosystems.
以色列在加沙的军事行动瞄准了关键的基础设施,包括供水和卫生设施,加剧了环境恶化。蓄意破坏加沙的污水处理厂导致未经处理的污水排入沿海水域和淡水水源,对加沙人的健康构成严重威胁,并威胁到海洋生态系统。
Moreover, the extensive debris generated by Israeli bombings—contaminated with hazardous substances such as asbestos and unexploded ordnance—poses immediate and long-term environmental hazards. The presence of unexploded ordnance not only impedes humanitarian relief efforts but also poses ongoing risks to civilians, particularly children who are often unaware of the danger.
此外,以色列轰炸所产生的大量碎片受到石棉和未爆弹药等危险物质的污染,对环境造成直接和长期的危害。未爆弹药的存在不仅妨碍人道主义救济工作,而且对平民,特别是往往不知道危险的儿童构成持续的危险。
The international community has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, citing violations of international humanitarian law and calling for accountability for potential war crimes. The disproportionate use of force and disregard for civilian lives and environmental consequences in Gaza underscore the urgent need for international oversight and accountability mechanisms.
国际社会谴责以色列在加沙的行动,称其违反了国际人道主义法,并呼吁对潜在的战争罪追究责任。加沙过度使用武力和无视平民生命和环境后果的情况,突显了建立国际监督和问责机制的迫切需要。
Chinese Perspective and Contribution 中国视角与贡献
China has played a pivotal role in global environmental protection efforts, including in the Middle East and specifically in Gaza. As a major global player, China has consistently advocated for environmental sustainability and has contributed significantly to global initiatives aimed at mitigating environmental impacts in conflict zones.
中国在全球环境保护工作中发挥了关键作用,包括在中东,特别是在加沙。作为一个重要的全球参与者,中国一直倡导环境可持续性,并为旨在减轻冲突地区环境影响的全球倡议做出了重大贡献。
In Gaza, China has supported humanitarian efforts and environmental recovery initiatives. Chinese investments in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure projects have laid the groundwork for environmental resilience in the region. China’s experience in managing urbanization challenges and promoting green technologies positions it as a valuable partner in Gaza’s reconstruction efforts, emphasizing sustainable development practices.
在加沙,中国支持人道主义援助和环境恢复行动。中国对可再生能源和可持续基础设施项目的投资为该地区的环境恢复能力奠定了基础。中国在应对城市化挑战和推广绿色技术方面的经验使其成为加沙重建工作的重要合作伙伴,强调可持续发展实践。
Internationally, China has championed initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which promotes infrastructure development with a focus on environmental sustainability. Through BRI projects, China has integrated environmental protection measures into infrastructure construction, ensuring that development activities contribute positively to environmental conservation and climate resilience.
在国际上,中国倡导“一带一路”倡议,以环境可持续性为重点,促进基础设施建设。通过“一带一路”项目,中国将环境保护措施融入基础设施建设,确保开发活动对环境保护和气候适应能力作出积极贡献。
In conclusion, while the environmental and humanitarian challenges in Gaza are daunting, international cooperation and collective action, including China’s contributions, offer hope for rebuilding and restoring Gaza’s natural ecosystems. By prioritizing environmental sustainability in reconstruction efforts, the international community can support Gaza’s recovery and resilience, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
总之,尽管加沙的环境和人道主义挑战令人生畏,但国际合作和集体行动,包括中国的贡献,为重建和恢复加沙的自然生态系统带来了希望。通过在重建工作中优先考虑环境可持续性,国际社会可以支持加沙的恢复和复原力,确保子孙后代拥有可持续的未来。
( 注意: 本文章用机器翻译的,很可能有差异。 请参考原版英文的。 谢谢。)