In What Ways is Green Crime a Growing Issue?

Green crime, also known as environmental crime, encompasses deviant behaviour that harms the environment, directly or indirectly. While some forms of green crime have always existed, the scale and impact of these activities have grown significantly in recent decades, posing a significant threat to the planet's health and sustainability.

Types and Global Impact of Green Crime

Green crime manifests in various forms, including pollution (air, land, water), deforestation, and wildlife crime. The United Nations (UN) recognizes green crime as a significant global issue (UN, 2012). Franko Aas (2012) highlights the global nature of the problem, emphasizing that environmental damage caused by one nation can have severe consequences for others. For instance, atmospheric pollution from industrial activities in one country can lead to acid rain in another, contaminating water sources and destroying forests. This interconnectedness makes green crime a transnational issue, often transcending political and national borders.

The Rise of Green Crime: Globalisation and Complexity

Several factors contribute to the growth of green crime. Globalisation, while fostering economic interconnectedness, has also facilitated the expansion of criminal networks involved in environmental exploitation. The increasing demand for resources, coupled with lax regulations and enforcement in some parts of the world, creates fertile ground for illegal activities like wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, and the dumping of hazardous waste.

The complexity of green crime poses another challenge. As South and Carrabine (Year) point out, green crime can be categorized as primary or secondary. Primary green crimes, such as illegal dumping of toxic waste, directly harm the environment, potentially impacting human health. Secondary green crimes involve actions that violate environmental regulations, such as companies flouting emission standards. This distinction highlights the multifaceted nature of green crime, making detection and prosecution difficult.

Uneven Enforcement and the Impact on Vulnerable Communities

While international bodies like the UN are increasingly recognizing green crime, definitions and enforcement vary significantly across the globe. This inconsistency often allows perpetrators, particularly powerful corporations, to exploit legal loopholes and escape accountability. As White (Year) highlights, activities like deforestation of tropical rainforests, while detrimental, might not be explicitly illegal under international law. Even when laws exist, enforcement remains a challenge, with activities like animal poaching and trafficking continuing despite national and international prohibitions.

Furthermore, the burden of environmental damage often falls disproportionately on the poorest and most vulnerable communities. Carrabine (Year) argues that while primary green crimes directly harm the environment, they often have severe consequences for human populations, particularly those least equipped to cope with the repercussions. Potter, from a Marxist perspective, criticizes the role of powerful corporations in perpetuating environmental harm while evading responsibility. He argues that the pursuit of profit often overshadows environmental concerns, leading to the exploitation of natural resources and the displacement of marginalized communities.

Manufactured Risks and the Growing Urgency of Green Crime

Finally, the concept of "manufactured risks," as described by Beck (Year), adds another layer of complexity to the issue of green crime. Manufactured risks refer to threats created by human activities and technological advancements, such as climate change and nuclear accidents. The catastrophic consequences of events like the Chernobyl disaster or the Deepwater Horizon oil spill underscore the potential for green crime to have devastating and long-lasting impacts on human societies and ecosystems. These events highlight the interconnectedness of human actions and environmental well-being, emphasizing the urgent need to address green crime as a growing global threat.

Conclusion

Green crime is a growing issue due to the convergence of several factors, including globalization, the increasing demand for resources, weak enforcement, and the rise of manufactured risks. The diverse and often transnational nature of these crimes, coupled with the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, necessitates a coordinated global response. Stronger regulations, enhanced international cooperation, and a greater emphasis on corporate accountability are crucial for effectively combating the escalating threat of green crime and ensuring a sustainable future for all.