The claim
A supposed study from Heidelberg University claims that the war in Ukraine would emit more CO2 than Germany has in 600 years - a completely unfounded claim.
Our conclusion
There is no such study from the University of Heidelberg. The real CO2 emissions from the Ukraine war are significant, but not nearly as high as claimed.
At a time when facts are more important than ever, false claims about the CO₂ emissions and climate impact of the war in Ukraine are circulating online. These claims, based on a supposed but non-existent study from Heidelberg University, massively exaggerate the war's impact on the climate.
It is important to question such misinformation and confront it with factual data.
The truth about CO₂ emissions and thus the climate impact of the Ukraine war
An international study published in June 2023 sheds light on the actual CO₂ emissions of the Ukraine war. The study shows that around 119 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents were emitted in the first year of the war. This is a significant figure, but is well below the misleading numbers circulating online.
Countering the myth
FACT : There is no study from the University of Heidelberg that claims that the Ukraine war caused more CO₂ emissions than Germany in 600 years.
MISBELIEF : The claim that the war would cause such astronomical amounts of CO₂ is circulating on the Internet.
FALLOW CONCLUSION : This claim is completely unrealistic and does not correspond to actual scientific findings.
FACT : In fact, an estimated 119 million tons of CO₂ equivalents were emitted in Ukraine during the first year of the war.
Reality check: comparison with Germany's emissions
A comparison with Germany's CO₂ emissions in 2022, which 746 million tons, shows that the emissions from the Ukraine war, although significant, are not as extreme as claimed. This sets the context of the discussion about the climate impacts of wars correctly.
Climate Consequences of War: A Complex Assessment
The war in Ukraine has a variety of impacts on the climate. Emissions include fuel consumption by armies, emissions from explosions and fires, and the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure. These factors must be taken into account when assessing the climate impact of conflicts.
Conclusion
The spread of misinformation about the CO₂ emissions of the Ukraine war is not only misleading but also harmful. Science-based data shows that real emissions, while significant, are far from the exaggerated claims. It is crucial to refute such myths and rely on factual, verifiable facts.
Source: dpa
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