Green Crime

• Definition of green crime-


  Generally defined as any crimes against the environment
• Examples of green crime-

  -Bhopal- gas leak in India (1984), exposed half a million people to toxic gas

  -Chernobyl- explosion of nuclear reactor in 1986
• Victims of green crime-

  -Potter- points out W/C and ethnic minority groups most likely suffer the worst from the effects of green crime

  -Environmental racism- victims are most likely to be a different ethnic background than those causing it
• Problems defining green crime-

  Cross nation/state borders and most offences ate associated are more health and safety laws which differ widely opposed to criminal law.
• Two types of green crime (South)

  Primary- direct destruction and degradation of the Earths recourses

  Secondary- floating of laws and regulation
• Explaining green crime-


  -White- TNCs and states have an anthropocentric view of the world

  -Wolf- much green crime is similar to traditional crime

  -Pearce (Marxist)- they're crimes of the powerful committed to minimise costs and maximise profits, with calculated risks.
• Enforcing green crimes-


  -Sinder- argues states are reluctant to pass laws and regulations against pollution

  -Sutherland- green crime doesn't attract the same stigma and conventional crimes
• Difficulty researching green crime-


  Different laws across different countries, researchers cant agree on a definition and difficulties in measurements as their carried out by the powerful who are able to conceal their crimes.
• Problems with enforcing law (Wolf)-


  Laws protecting the environment are different around the world and change regularly.