Green Criminology and the Law

Green criminology is a growing field of criminology that examines the relationship between the law and the social, political, and ecological conditions of our times. It recognizes and examines behaviors that are both illegal and legal and has made great efforts to provide insight into harms in a more fulsome manner. There have been many legal instances that have troubled the law's understanding of green harms, illegal and legal activity, and pushing legal boundaries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 415 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This edited collection delves into the intricate relationship between law and society, exploring the extent to which legal systems reflect, refract, or sublimate the social, political, and ecological conditions of our times. Since its inception in the 1990s, green criminology has directed the criminological lens toward a wide range of harms and crimes that impact humans, animals other than humans, ecological systems, and the planet as a whole. As a dynamic and rapidly evolving field of criminological inquiry, green criminology recognizes and examines behaviors that are both illegal and legal (yet detrimental), making significant efforts to provide insights into these harms in a more comprehensive manner.

At the same time, numerous significant legal instances, both domestic and international, including case law, legislation, regulation, treaties, agreements, and executive directives, have challenged the understanding of green harms, illegal and legal activity, and pushed legal boundaries in the process. Recognizing the inseparable connection between humanity and nature, green criminology and the law reflects the breadth and depth of high-quality research and scholarship, combining contributions from established scholars willing to explore new topics and recent entrants who are breaking new scholarly ground.

In the first section, the collection explores the theoretical foundations of green criminology, examining the concept of ecological harm and its implications for legal and policy responses. Contributors discuss the role of law in addressing environmental degradation, climate change, and other ecological crises, highlighting the need for a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to crime prevention and justice.

The second section examines the empirical evidence of green criminology, exploring the patterns, trends, and drivers of environmental crime and harm. Contributors analyze data from various sources, such as criminal records, environmental surveys, and scientific research, to identify the factors that contribute to environmental degradation and the effectiveness of existing legal and policy frameworks in addressing these issues.

The third section explores the legal and policy responses to green criminology, examining the challenges and opportunities presented by the growing recognition of environmental harms. Contributors discuss the development of new legal frameworks, such as environmental crimes, ecological restoration, and sustainable development, as well as the role of international law and cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.

The final section examines the implications of green criminology for social justice and equity. Contributors argue that the recognition of ecological harm and the need for sustainable development must be integrated into legal and policy frameworks to ensure that marginalized communities and vulnerable populations are not disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and crime.

In conclusion, this edited collection provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of the relationship between law and society in the context of green criminology. By exploring the theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, legal and policy responses, and social justice implications of green criminology, the collection contributes to the growing body of knowledge on environmental crime and harm. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change and other ecological crises.

Weight: 698g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030824112
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022