Eradicating Ecocide 2nd edition : Laws and Governance to Stop the Destruction of the Planet

In __Eradicating Ecocide__, international environment lawyer and Ecocide law expert Polly Higgins sets out to demonstrate how our planet is fast being destroyed by the activities of corporations and governments, facilitated by 'compromise' laws that offer insufficient deterrence. She offers a solution that is radical yet pragmatic, and, as she explains, necessary. This is the first book to examine the power of law to change everything. Higgins provides context by presenting examples of laws in other countries and in earlier times in history which have succeeded in curtailing the power of governments, corporations and banks, and have triggered change. __Eradicating Ecocide__ is a crash course on what laws work, what doesn't and what else is required to prevent the ever escalating destruction. __Eradicating Ecocide__ provides a comprehensive overview of what is required in law in order to prevent ecocide. It is a book unlike any other; based on the principle of 'first do no harm', it applies equally to global as well as smaller communities and anyone who is involved in decision-making. "Eradicating Ecocide highlights the need for enforceable, legally binding mechanisms in national and international law to hold to account perpetrators of long term severe damage to the environment. At this critical juncture in history it is vital that we set global standards of accountability for corporations, in order to put an end to the culture of impunity and double standards that pervade the international legal system. Polly Higgins illustrates how this can be achieved in her invaluable new book. Humanity is at a crossroads. One route is to carry on as before, treating our planet as something to be bought and sold as private property to the highest bidder; the other is to acknowledge that our lives depend on a delicate ecosystem and that we all have responsibilities to each other, our habitat and future generations. Exposing the truth behind the compromise laws and inadequate voluntary codes favoured by companies to protect their silent right to extinguish life, Higgins advocates a new crime, Ecocide, to prevent the 'damage, destruction to or loss of ecosystems', as a 5th Crime Against Peace. Ecocide - environmental destruction - is not yet a crime. The law indirectly, yet consistently, puts profit first. Governments, businesses and financial institutions have all bought into turning a blind eye to the destruction of the planet when economic interests are at stake. Peace, Higgins suggests, is unachievable whilst the rules of the game continue to protect commercial expropriation of the planet for profit - at a price we cannot afford. Providing a comprehensive legal overview of the past 200 years, Eradicating Ecocide explains the crime of Ecocide, how it will apply and who can stop the ecocide, for present and for future generations. This is essential reading for anyone who is engaged with current issues; it is also for leaders and policy-makers in all countries. Laws from other countries - which have been successful in curtailing the power of governments, corporations and banks - are included with analysis of the duty of care required, a duty that is owed to the public and the global earth community. The book is a crash course on what laws work, what doesn't and what can be put in place to bring an end the era of ecocide." "In Eradicating Ecocide, international environment lawyer and Ecocide law expert Polly Higgins sets out to demonstrate how our planet is fast being destroyed by the activities of corporations and governments, facilitated by 'compromise' laws that offer insufficient deterrence. She offers a solution that is radical yet pragmatic and, as she explains, necessary. Starting with the Mexican Gulf oil spill, a compelling reminder of the consequences of un-checked ecocide, Higgins advocates the introduction of an international Ecocide law. As the missing 5th Crime Against Peace it would hold to account heads of corporate bodies who are found guilty of perpetrating ecocide. The opportunity to implement this law represents a crossroads in the fate of humanity; we can accept this one change and in doing so save our ecosystem for future generations, or we can continue to destroy it, risking future brutal war over disappearing natural resources. This is the first book to examine the power of law to change everything. Higgins provides context by presenting examples of laws in other countries and in earlier times in history which have succeeded in curtailing the power of governments, corporations and banks and have triggered change. Eradicating Ecocide is a crash course on what laws work, what doesn't and what else is required to prevent the ever escalating destruction. Eradicating Ecocide provides a comprehensive overview of what is required in law in order to prevent ecocide. It is a book unlike any other; based on a principle of 'first do no harm', it applies equally to global as well as smaller communities and anyone who is involved in decision-making. The second edition includes amendments and corrections as well as bringing the book up to date."--publisher's description In Eradicating Ecocide, international environment lawyer and Ecocide law expert Polly Higgins sets out to demonstrate how our planet is fast being destroyed by the activities of corporations and governments, facilitated by 'compromise' laws that offer insufficient deterrence. She offers a solution that is radical yet pragmatic, and, as she explains, necessary. This is the first book to examine the power of law to change everything. Higgins provides context by presenting examples of laws in other countries and in earlier times in history which have succeeded in curtailing the power of governments, corporations and banks, and have triggered change. Eradicating Ecocide is a crash course on what laws work, what doesn't and what else is required to prevent the ever escalating destruction. Eradicating Ecocide provides a comprehensive overview of what is required in law in order to prevent ecocide. It is a book unlike any other; based on the principle of 'first do no harm', it applies equally to global as well as smaller communities and anyone who is involved in decision-making. --Provided by publisher Taking Stock -- Massacre Of The Innocents -- Telling The Truth About The Birds And The Bees -- Principles To Protect Our Oikos -- Ecocide: The 5th Crime Against Peace -- The Sacred Trust Of Civilization -- Holding Business To Account -- Environmental Sustainability -- New Developments -- The Commanding Voice Of The People. Polly Higgins. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 185-198) And Index. This is the second edition of Polly Higgins' book which exposes corporate and political ecocide and proposes environmental law needed to prevent earth's trajectory towards disaster.