Crime - Green Crime Flashcards
(48 cards)
What does green crime refer to?
Crimes committed against the environment such as dumping toxic waste, air pollution, illegal logging, and smuggling restricted animal parts
Also known as ‘environmental crime’.
Give examples of green crime.
- Dumping toxic waste
- Air pollution
- Illegal logging
- Smuggling restricted animal parts (e.g. elephant tusks, rhino horns)
These activities harm the environment and can have severe consequences.
What defines an act as criminal in the context of green crime?
An act is only criminal if it breaks the law
For example, dumping toxic waste is illegal, while air pollution from car emissions is not considered a crime.
Why is air pollution from car emissions not categorized as a crime?
Because it is not illegal to drive a car
The law specifies what is and is not criminal.
What is the critique of Traditional Criminology from a Marxist perspective?
It is anthropocentric, taking a human-centered approach and prioritizing profit over environmental protection
This perspective argues that many harmful environmental acts remain legal to benefit corporations.
What term describes the legal framework that allows corporations to harm the environment for profit?
Criminogenic capitalism
This concept highlights how legal structures can facilitate environmental harm.
What approach do green criminologists take towards environmental harm?
A transgressive approach, classifying any action that causes harm to the environment as a crime, regardless of legality.
This approach is known as zemiology, focusing on the study of harms.
What does the ecocentric approach emphasize?
Humans are just one part of the ecosystem, and we should live in harmony with the natural environment and protect it.
This perspective contrasts with anthropocentric views that prioritize human interests.
What is an example of environmental harm that green criminologists believe should be classified as a crime?
The BP oil spill in 2010, which caused widespread harm to marine life and the natural world.
The spill resulted in the deaths of 11 workers and significant environmental damage.
What is a criticism of classifying all environmental harms as green crimes?
It could imply that everyone is a criminal, making it difficult to draw a line on what constitutes a green crime.
This raises questions about the criteria used to define green crimes.
Why is it challenging to define ‘harm’ in the context of green criminology?
Harm cannot be easily operationalized, as definitions of harm vary among individuals and contexts.
For instance, some may view air pollution as harmful, while others see it as essential for economic growth.
What are the two types of green crime?
Primary green crime and secondary green crime.
Each type addresses different aspects of environmental harm.
What does primary green crime refer to?
Actions that directly harm the environment, which may or may not be illegal.
Examples include deforestation and air pollution.
List the four main categories of primary green crime.
- Crimes of air pollution
- Crimes of deforestation
- Crimes of species decline
- Crimes of water pollution
Each category includes specific examples of harmful actions.
What is an example of a crime of air pollution?
The Dieselgate scandal, where Volkswagen illegally fitted defeat devices to diesel cars to cheat emissions tests.
This action released millions of tonnes of extra air pollution.
What does secondary green crime refer to?
Criminal behavior associated with environmental harm but not directly causing harm to the environment.
An example includes selling restricted animal parts on the black market.
True or False: Secondary green crime involves directly harming the environment.
False
Secondary green crime involves related criminal behavior that does not directly harm the environment.
What are green crimes characterized by?
High profit, low risk
Green crimes have low prosecution rates and light punishments.
What is a common example of a green crime?
Illegal fly tipping
Most offenders get away with it due to lack of witnesses and CCTV.
What theory explains why people are more likely to offend in green crimes?
Rational choice theory
This theory states that low chances of getting caught increase the likelihood of offending.
How has globalization affected waste pollution crimes?
Increased occurrence
For instance, the UK sends plastic waste to Turkey, leading to dumping and burning on Turkish roadsides.
What has Veolia claimed regarding accusations of wrongdoing?
Denied any wrongdoing
There have been no arrests or charges despite ongoing waste issues.
According to Marxists, what drives many green crimes?
Corporate crimes
Businesses exploit the environment for profit.
What view of the environment does capitalism take?
Anthropocentric view
People exploit the environment for their own benefit.
