While environmental destruction is often the last thing considered when war breaks out, this form of devastation can take decades -- if not centuries -- to correct.
A Vietnamese environmental expert who has studied the ecological effects of herbicides released by the United States during the Vietnam War accordingly hopes to bridge the gap between ideals and reality in respect to environmental matters.
"Every war destroys nature, regardless of where it takes place" and what kind of weapons are used, said Vo Quy, the dean of biology at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, during a recent interview with The Japan Times.