24. Guardians of the Earth: The Rise of Ecocide Law
Aug 27, 2024
auto_awesome
Pella Thiel, an advocate for international Ecocide law and environmental justice, discusses groundbreaking ideas that aim to redefine how we view environmental destruction. She explains how ecocide law could align with the severity of genocide, catalyzing a moral shift in global values. Pella delves into the potential of this law to enhance ecological accountability and explores the rights of nature. Additionally, she proposes the creation of an environmental embassy to advocate for the Baltic Sea, emphasizing community action and innovative governance to protect vital ecosystems.
Ecocide law aims to establish individual accountability for environmental damage, promoting sustainable practices and deterring corporate harm at an international level.
The movement seeks to embed ecological protection within human rights frameworks, emphasizing the interdependence of human well-being and environmental health.
Deep dives
The Concept of Ecocide and its Legal Implications
Ecocide refers to the unlawful or wanton acts that cause significant damage to the environment, akin to crimes like genocide. This concept gained traction in the 1970s, particularly after the environmental devastation caused by the US in Vietnam with Agent Orange, which prompted discussions on the need for ecocide to be recognized legally. In June 2021, an agreed definition was established, emphasizing the responsibility of individuals and organizations in committing acts that result in widespread environmental harm. The push for ecocide law aims to elevate these actions within international criminal law, allowing for accountability at a global level similar to other serious crimes.
Ecocide as a Game-Changer in Environmental Law
Ecocide represents a significant shift in how environmental issues are addressed legally, distinguishing it from existing civil laws. It introduces individual accountability at an international level, meaning that corporate leaders and decision-makers could be held liable for severe environmental damage, a change from the current impunity many enjoy. By framing ecocide as a crime, it aims to deter harmful practices and transform corporate behavior, encouraging businesses to prioritize sustainable practices. This deterrent effect could lead to a cultural shift in how society values environmental stewardship and addresses ecological degradation.
Interconnections between Ecocide, Human Rights, and Nature
The destruction of ecosystems poses direct threats to human rights, as healthy environments are essential for societal well-being. The movement for ecocide law seeks to reintegrate the protection of nature into human rights frameworks, highlighting the interdependence of humans and the environment. It asserts that disregarding ecological health ultimately undermines human rights. By establishing ecocide as a crime, a new moral baseline is created that encourages respect for nature as a vital part of the global community and repositions it as a protected entity under the law.
The Role of Collective Action and Positive Tipping Points
The movement to recognize ecocide is gaining momentum through collective advocacy from various groups, including youth, corporations, and indigenous communities. This grassroots approach aims to create positive tipping points, where the recognition of ecological rights becomes mainstream. By forming alliances and encouraging dialogue, these groups help establish a robust framework for ecocide law within international governance systems. The ultimate goal is to foster a shared understanding of our obligations to the environment, shifting public perception and policy towards more sustainable practices.
Could the destruction of nature become considered as serious a crime as that of genocide? How does the structure of law shape a civilisation’s norms, behaviors and overarching story?
Today we’ll be discussing international Ecocide law, a massively growing movement that wants to embed the notion of ‘ecocide’ crime at the highest levels of law - at the International Criminal Court in The Hague - and create a powerful deterrent for the further damage to ecosystems and people globally.
Our guest is Pella Thiel, a maverick ecologist, farmer, author and who has co-founded the Swedish hubs of international networks like Transition Sweden, End Ecocide Sweden and is an associate of the Centre for Environment and Development Studies at Uppsala University. Pella was awarded the Swedish Martin Luther King Award in 2023 and the Environmental Hero of the year 2019.
We discuss:
Why ecocide law is different & a game changer as compared with other environmental laws
How it can help create a new moral baseline, shifting global values and mindsets
Where the tensions or synergies might lie between the Rights of Nature and Ecocide law
The notion of positive tipping points
And how an Embassy of the Baltic Sea might play out as a practice center for ecological community building