Ecocide, when environmental destruction in all forms,
is about to be classified as a criminal offense!

What is Ecocide?

 

Ecocide is when environmental destruction happens on such a severe level that it’s almost impossible to recover from. It’s like environmental murder, caused by both human actions and natural events.

Examples include deforestation, wildlife poaching, dumping waste into the ocean, using chemicals that pollute soil and water, nuclear testing, and releasing greenhouse gases from industries which harm ecosystems and contribute to climate change.

There’s a push to make Ecocide an international crime against humanity, to bring environmental justice on a global scale and change how people view environmental issues.

If successful, the International Criminal Court could hold those responsible for severe environmental damage accountable, whether they’re from the business sector or government.

From countries suffering from extreme environmental damage to supporting Ecocide as the fifth international crime, alongside genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.

Sea level rise mapping reaches Vanuatu

The island nation of Vanuatu is one of the countries severely affected by rising sea levels due to climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions from larger countries. In late 2019, a diplomat from Vanuatu, along with the Maldives, proposed amending the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, to include environmental destruction, or Ecocide, as a criminal offense.

Satellites show Brazil’s deforestation has only gotten worse since Bolsonaro took office

Another instance of severe environmental damage leading to human casualties occurred in Brazil. In early 2021, indigenous community leaders in Brazil appealed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for accelerating Amazon deforestation without control measures for mining, oil, and natural gas extraction, as well as large-scale agriculture. This also included threats and displacement of residents and the killing of indigenous leaders, which constitutes a crime against humanity. These leaders are calling for Ecocide to be recognized as a prosecutable crime by the ICC.

This shows that environmental destruction doesn’t just come from individuals but can also result from state or industrial actions, often on a large scale, leading to widespread impacts. The push for legal measures now aims to establish regulations and standards for all sectors to adhere to, minimizing environmental impacts and protecting humanity. The production sector is becoming more aware of environmental issues and is moving towards sustainable practices.

As an individual, you can also support the inclusion of Ecocide in international law by signing the Stop Ecocide campaign at https://www.stopecocide.earth/

อ้างอิง
– Thiraphon Singlor, ‘Ecocide’ อาชญากรรมฆ่าล้างสิ่งแวดล้อมกับการผลักดันให้มีความผิดทางอาญาระดับโลก, 2021
https://www.sdgmove.com/2021/04/27/ecocide-in-world-movement-towards-international-criminal-law-envi-justice/
– รพีพัฒน์ อิงคสิทธิ์, เดินหน้าผลักดัน การผลาญทำลายสิ่งแวดล้อม เป็นอาชญากรรมข้ามชาติ “Ecocide”, 2021
https://www.seub.or.th/bloging/news/global-news/ecocide/
– ประชาไท, ชนพื้นเมืองในบราซิล ยื่นฟ้องศาลโลกกรณี ‘บอลโซนาโร’ ถางป่าอเมซอน สังหาร-ปราบปรามประชาชน, 2021
https://prachatai.com/journal/2021/01/91377
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