Is Fashion Ready for Ecocide Law? with Lucy Tammam and Jojo Metha
Oct 23, 2024
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Join eco-fashion designer Lucy Tammam, celebrated for her sustainable creations, and Jojo Mehta, co-founder of Stop Ecocide International, in a riveting discussion on ecocide law. They explore how this emerging legal framework aims to combat environmental destruction, particularly in the fashion industry. Discover the innovative 'One Dress' initiative emphasizing sustainability, the groundbreaking fashion presentation with leaf-inspired designs, and recent legislative progress toward holding individuals accountable for ecological harm. It's a call to action for a responsible fashion future!
The ecocide law movement is gaining global traction, compelling industries to face legal implications for ecosystem harm and transition to responsible practices.
Fashion designers like Lucy Tammam are advocating for sustainability through innovative projects, highlighting the role of fashion in promoting environmental awareness and change.
Deep dives
The Rise of Ecocide Law
Ecocide law refers to the concept of criminalizing severe damage to ecosystems, aiming to protect nature legally. This movement is gaining traction globally, with several countries already enacting laws against ecocide, including recent developments in the European Union and proposals from Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa to recognize it as a crime at the International Criminal Court. The significance of ecocide law reshapes the narrative around environmental responsibility, transitioning from mere compliance with environmental regulations to a legal requirement that actively protects ecosystems from harm. This concept challenges businesses to rethink their practices, making the destruction of the environment not just a regulatory issue but a legal one with serious implications.
Fashion’s Role in Environmental Change
The fashion industry is heavily implicated in environmental degradation, with practices often leading to significant harm to ecosystems. Designers like Lucy Tammam are pioneering efforts to address these issues through sustainable practices, such as her recent fashion show highlighting the concept of 'One Dress'. This project emphasizes the need for fewer, more meaningful fashion pieces that advocate for sustainability and the protection of nature. By showcasing the beauty of crafts and aesthetics while making a political statement, fashion can serve as a powerful platform for raising awareness and driving change in consumer behavior.
Criminal Law as a Prevention Tool
Introducing ecocide as a crime aims not only to punish wrongdoing but also to create a preventive framework for environmental protection. Current environmental laws often operate on the principle of compliance, allowing companies to cause harm up to a certain threshold without penalties. Ecocide law seeks to shift this paradigm by making it illegal to inflict severe damage on nature, thus motivating corporate leaders to revise their decision-making processes. This approach highlights that environmental protection is not just a legal obligation but a moral responsibility that can fundamentally alter how industries operate.
Public Engagement and Future Legislation
There is a growing public desire for the recognition of ecocide as a crime, with surveys indicating overwhelming support for environmental protections across various nations. Advocacy groups and initiatives are vital in pushing the legislative agenda forward, inspiring conversations about environmental responsibility and legal accountability. Various countries are discussing or drafting laws related to ecocide, signaling a shift towards more serious environmental legislation on a global scale. This movement reflects a broader cultural change, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
If you listened to last week's interview w. Jem Bendell and wondered, "What on Earth do I do now?" And you weren't up for moving to Bali and getting collapse ready by starting a self-sufficient permaculture farm...we've got you!
This week's episode is about practical action being taken right now to protect the rights of Nature.
Clare is sitting down with two can-do women, fashion designer Lucy Tammam and Stop Ecocide International's Jojo Mehta to decode one of the topics of the moment, ecocide law.
You might have noticed this idea gaining momentum. Ecocide refers to the mass damage and destruction of ecosystems – severe harm to nature which is widespread or long-term. The idea is to criminalise it. And it's happening! It's become national law in several countries with many more discussing it. In March, the EU passed a law that criminalises actions 'comparable to ecocide' - a revolutionary legal development; the first law of its kind to be adopted by a political entity with substantial global influence. In September, Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa submitted a proposal to the International Criminal Court for recognition of ecocide as a crime.
What does all this mean for fashion? Listen to find out!
