The Vietnam War, ending on April 30, 1975, resulted in severe environmental degradation, with significant destruction of coastal mangroves and forests. The U.S. military's use of herbicides like Agent Orange caused long-lasting harm, leaving ecosystems contaminated and vulnerable fifty years later. Current restoration efforts remain insufficient, with international treaties enacted post-war failing to ensure Vietnam's ecological recovery. Recent conflicts demonstrate that these treaties are still not adequately addressing environmental damage, highlighting a pressing need for effective mechanisms to restore affected areas and protect ecosystems in wartime.
Fifty years later, Vietnam's degraded ecosystems and dioxin-contaminated soils and waters still reflect the long-term ecological consequences of the war.
Efforts to restore these damaged landscapes and even to assess the long-term harm have been limited.
Although the war spurred new international treaties aimed at protecting the environment during wartime, these efforts failed to compel post-war restoration for Vietnam.
Current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East show these laws and treaties still aren't effective.
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