Landmines and Crabs

Okay, so this isn’t an actual crab, nor does it eat landmines - sorry crustacean community!

The Sherman Crab was a vehicle developed in 1943 and 1944 in an attempt to clear minefields. It worked by spinning flails into the ground with the hope that they would hit and detonate landmines in front of the tank.

The physical leftovers from war and conflict, of which mines are a major part, is a travesty of human society.

Landmines are indiscriminate weapons that can remain dangerous for many years after conflict officially ends. There are 78 countries where landmines have contaminated the ground and between 15,000 and 20,000 people are killed every year as a result. With many more being maimed for life.

80% of these victims are civilians, and primarily children.

There are estimated to be 110 million landmines in the world, which means that huge areas are unable to be used for agriculture. If mines were removed, Afghanistan and Cambodia could double the amount of land that could be used for farming.

Climate change is further complicating efforts at removal of landmines, as landslides, desertification and erosion change the landscape and move mines into ever more unpredictable patterns.

All in all, it is a sad state of affairs.