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"Waders and waterbirds will be particularly at risk from oil spills because Iraq is at the northern end of the Arabian Gulf [another name for the Persian Gulf], which is one of the top five sites in the world for wintering water birds and a key refueling area for hundreds of thousands of migratory waterbirds during the spring and autumn period," according to Mike Evans of BirdLife International.

Among the threatened species are wading birds like the sacred ibis and the Goliath heron, as well as at least 66 species of wintering birds, including the Iraq babbler and Dalmatian pelican. Marshland animals like the smooth-coated otter would also be threatened.

Quashed Resources Affect Human Populations, Too People would also be affected by environmental damage wrought in a war.

"A war can hurt people in more than one way," pointed out Naud, the environmental consultant. "If the environment is damaged, so is their livelihood."

Lash says contamination of water sources from a war in a region where water is already scarce could lead to widespread starvation. Fumes from oil fires can lead to cancer and oil-soaked croplands can seriously deplete food resources.

Lt. Cmdr. Nick Balice of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., maintains troops will try, as always, to mitigate damage to the environment if the United States and allies stage an attack in Iraq.

"In the event that we should go to war in Iraq, anytime we do anything like that we're concerned about environmental damage," he said.

Former Army captain Hillen further argues many Army personnel are actually "closet environmentalists [who] might not show up at the next Greenpeace rally, but they have a protective mentality about the environment because they spend a lot of their time outdoors."

But no matter how careful a staged attack might be, it is the fallout from the unknown – such as fighting in urban centers or destroying possible chemical weapon facilities or an unexpected act of intentional environmental damage by Saddam – that concerns Naud.

"We may be trying to make good decisions," said Naud, "but it's the things we don't yet have a handle on that worry me”

What is the reason for writing this article?

1. Where did this accident happen?

2. What was the harm of this catastrophe for environment?

Organic food products – экологически чистые пищевые продукты

Toxic and persistent pesticides – токсические и устойчивые

пестициды

Organic farming – экологически чистое фермерство

Productive – продуктивный

Persistent chemicals – устойчивые химикаты

Organic fiber products – экологически чистые устойчивые продукты

Pest control and lawn care – борьба с эпидемией и уход за газоном

Genetic and environmental factors – генетические факторы и факторы окружающей среды

Mercury and organophosphate pesticides – ртутные

и органофосфатные пестициды

Organophosphate exposure – органо-фосфатное воздействие

Harsh chemicals and synthetic fertilizers – раздражающие химикаты и синтетические удобрения

Boost crop yields – поднятие

урожайности

Biological cycles and soil biological activity – биологические циклы и биологическая активность грунта

The production and use of organic food products has taken firm root today as a serious alternative for consumers and farmers. Particularly since the early 1990s, a growing number of North American farmers have taken steps to minimize the use of, and consumers' exposure to, toxic and persistent pesticides by establishing organic agricultural practices.

Organic farming is about building a sustainable, healthy and productive future for every aspect of our planet: the soil, water supply, animals and humans. Consumers who want to minimize their – and the environment's – exposure to toxic and persistent chemicals can do so by buying organic foods and organic fiber products, and by choosing organic agricultural methods for home pest control and lawn care. It's simply putting nature to work while removing many potential health risks that exist from certain food production today, mainly the use of pesticides.