Green Crime Overview

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Questions and Answers

Who coined the term 'Green Criminology'?

Nigel South

Which of the following is NOT a type of primary green crime identified by Nigel South?

Deforestation

Violence against environmental groups (correct)

Pollution

Species decline and animal rights

What is the main difference between primary and secondary green crime?

Primary green crime directly harms the environment, while secondary green crime involves flouting regulations meant to prevent environmental disasters.

Situ and Emmons (2000) define environmental crime as an act or omission that breaks environmental law.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the key argument of transgressive criminologists?

They argue that criminology should focus on harm, even if it doesn't necessarily break the law. Signup and view all the answers

According to Rob White (2008), what should be the focus of Green Criminology?

Green Criminology should focus on any action that causes harm to the environment and its inhabitants, even if no law is broken. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the Chernobyl disaster?

There is currently a 10km exclusion zone Signup and view all the answers

What does Ulrich Beck's statement "smog is democratic" suggest?

Environmental problems, such as smog, affect all social classes equally. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by "environmental racism"?

White, affluent groups often cause environmental damage that disproportionately affects minority groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the Marxist and Eco-feminist perspectives on Green Crime?

Marxism focuses on the role of power structures, while Eco-feminism emphasizes the interconnectedness of the environment and individuals, especially women. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of Green Crime, as defined by Rob White?

Fly-tipping Signup and view all the answers

According to Reece Walters (2007), what is a significant example of secondary green crime?

Radioactive dumping of waste. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'zemiology' refer to?

The study of social harms. Signup and view all the answers

Traditional Criminology primarily focuses on actions that break the law.

True Signup and view all the answers

Ulrich Beck argues that global warming is a natural, unpredictable phenomenon.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the concept of ecocentric harm?

Harm to the environment is a concern because it threatens the entire eco-system, including humans. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Green Crime, what is the major criticism of traditional criminology?

It lacks a focus on environmental harm, focusing primarily on law-breaking behavior, and often neglects the broader systemic factors that contribute to environmental damage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Bhopal disaster in terms of Green Crime?

It illustrates how corporate greed and negligence can lead to devastating environmental harm and human casualties. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Green Crime

Refers to crimes committed against the environment.
Distinguished into primary and secondary green crime.

Primary Green Crime

Direct harm to the environment.
Includes:
- Species decline and animal rights violations (e.g., extinction rates, rainforest destruction).
- Pollution (e.g., air pollution, water pollution).
- Deforestation.
- Crimes against species (e.g., trafficking, hunting, poaching).
- Blue planet crime (e.g., water pollution).

Secondary Green Crime

Violations of regulations intended to prevent environmental disasters.
Includes:
- Violence against environmental groups (e.g., attacks on Greenpeace).
- Bribery/organized crime to avoid environmental regulations.
- Ignoring government environmental regulations.
- Examples include illegal dumping, radioactive waste disposal.

Definitions of Green Crime

Nigel South: Green crime as 'crime against the environment'.
Situ and Emmons: Environmental crime as "an unauthorised act or omission that violates the law".
Rob White: Green crime as "any action that harms the physical environment and any creatures that live within it, even if no law has technically been broken."

Key Theories and Perspectives

Ulrich Beck: Argues that today's society is a "global risk society," where manufactured risks (e.g., global warming, pollution) pose threats to human well-being and the environment. He emphasizes that these risks are often global in scope and interconnected.
Phillip (with Beck): While everyone is theoretically vulnerable, wealthier people generally avoid the worst environmental risks;
Potter (and Beck): Environmental problems often disproportionately affect vulnerable social groups (e.g., poverty, race, gender).
Ecocentric/Anthropocentric Views: Ecocentric views consider harm to any part of the environment equally damaging, while anthropocentric views assess environmental harm only from a human-centered perspective.
Transgressive Criminology: Green criminology frequently transcends traditional legal frameworks by focusing on harm rather than solely on broken laws.
Marxist perspective: Green crime is linked to power imbalances; corporations and wealthy states often structure environmental laws to benefit themselves.

Key Concepts

Globalisation: An important factor, with many environmental crimes crossing national borders.
Environmental racism: The disproportionate way that minority groups suffer environmental harm.
Zemiology: The study of social harms, an important element of contemporary green criminology.
Eco-feminism: Links environmental harm to patriarchal social structures.
State crime: The state's involvement in, or tolerance of, damaging environmental practices—illegal dumping, facilitating polluting corporations.
Corporate crime: Companies prioritizing profit over environmental safety.

Examples of Green Crime

Bhopal disaster, Chernobyl disaster, major accidents and emissions.
Radioactive waste dumping, toxic waste dumping, fly tipping.

Traditional Criminology vs. Green Criminology

Traditional criminology focuses on laws broken.
Green criminology focuses on harm to the environment.

Note

Many figures and examples were noted in individual cards. Key scholars and their insights are summarized above.

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Description

Explore the concepts of green crime, including its definitions and classifications. Understand the differences between primary and secondary green crimes and their impact on the environment. This quiz covers crucial topics such as pollution, species decline, and violations of environmental regulations.