Introduction to the Understanding of the Great Trouble

War, Soil, and Freshwater Systems. Conference 2026

Abstract

This introductory text presents the international conference “War, Soil, and Freshwater Systems,” dedicated to the long-term environmental and public health consequences of military activity. The publication emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary scientific cooperation in studying the effects of armed conflicts on soils, freshwater systems, ecosystems, and human environments. Special attention is given to the lessons of the Vietnam War and the ongoing war in Ukraine as examples of complex ecological and humanitarian challenges requiring systematic international research and knowledge preservation.