Carbon Criminals, Ecocide and Climate Justice

• In Event: Green Criminology 1

Abstract

Global warming is rapidly and radically transforming the biophysical world in ways that will continue to have massive ramifications for humans, specific eco-systems, and animal and plant species. This paper considers climate change from the point of view of criminality. It argues that it is not only the causes of global warming that are known, but so too are the key perpetrators. The impact of climate change can be conceptualised criminologically as a form of ecocide, one that involves catastrophic effects on present and future generations of humans, flora, fauna and eco-systems. From a climate justice perspective, the challenge is twofold: first, to diminish the harms associated with global warming through appropriate and effective mitigation and adaptation strategies, such as supporting the ‘divest’ movement; and, second, to criminalise those individuals, corporations, industries, and governments that, even in the light of overwhelming scientific evidence, through acts or omissions, continue to contribute to the problem. State-corporate collusion of this nature is literally and directly transforming the conditions of life on planet Earth. This is wrong and needs to be described for what it is – a crime against humanity and, fundamentally, nothing less than intentional and systematic ecocide.

Author

• Robert White, University of Tasmania