What did the researcher find?

Eradication efforts have been largely unsuccessful at curbing coca production and generally result in a "balloon effect" where coca growers simply relocate. Despite the United States' involvement in this conflict, the harmful environmental effects are disproportionately borne by Colombia. The Colombian military, paramilitary, guerilla, and criminal forces all contribute to the environmental damage that occurs in Colombia. This is consistent with how wars are now fought - the consequences are shifted to the Global South.

Eradicating cocaine production involves harmful environment consequences. For example, aerial fumigation to destroy crops of cocaine-producing coca plants distributes harmful chemicals into the environment, and these chemicals bioaccumulate and bioconcentrate in the food chain. The threats to biodiversity are significant because many newly established coca-growing regions are biodiversity "hotspots"; Colombia is home to the largest number of bird species in the world and the second highest number of plant species in the world.

Coca production and eradication drive cycles of deforestation. When efforts to eradicate coca plants damage legal crops, farmers either turn to producing coca themselves to supplement their income, or to converting forested land into farmland. Cocaine production involves toxic and unsustainable cultivation techniques. Coca leaves are ground into coca paste, which requires the use of large amounts of water and several noxious chemicals. Coca producers do not anticipate their crops being around for many years and so use liberal amounts of chemicals on their plants, further compromising the integrity of local and regional water sources.