An environmental disaster is a significant and often sudden event that results in severe damage to ecosystems and the environment, causing long-term or irreversible harm. Such disasters can arise from natural events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or volcanic eruptions, but are frequently the result of human activities, including industrial accidents, oil spills, nuclear accidents, or pollution. The consequences of environmental disasters can include loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, contamination of air, soil, and water, as well as negative impacts on human health and communities. Environmental disasters often necessitate extensive cleanup efforts and can have profound economic implications, affecting livelihoods, agriculture, and local economies. Addressing and mitigating environmental disasters typically requires coordinated responses from governments, organizations, and communities to restore affected areas and implement preventive measures for the future.
A collision between a tanker carrying military fuel for the U.S. and a Portuguese cargo ship with sodium cyanide caused significant environmental concerns off the Yorkshire coast. Both vessels suffered…