British earth lawyer Polly Higgins discusses whether the Earth is in need of a good lawyer and whether ecocide, the extensive damage, destruction or loss of an ecosystem, should be considered a crime. The concept of creating an international crime of ecocide has actually been around since the 1970s. Although this seems like a radical idea at first, Polly Higgins argues widespread destruction of the environment is leading to resource depletion, which leads to conflict, which can then lead to war, which of course leads to more damage and destruction and more resource depletion.
Ecocide is already considered a national crime in Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Vietnam. Further discussion about her argument can be found in a UK newspaper article and the eradicating ecocide campaign. The Guardian newspaper also lists the top 10 ecocides in pictures.
