Environmental Crimes Essay Example

Environmental Crimes Paper The types of acts commonly recognized as environmental crime are: pollution or other contamination of air, land and water; illegal discharge, dumping and transport of, or trade in, hazardous and other regulated waste; illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; illegal trade in (protected) flora and fauna and harms to biodiversity; and illegal logging and timber trade. The major drivers Of environmental crimes are identified to be Greed and Ignorance. Individuals and organizations understand that a huge amount of money can be made by committing certain environmental crimes and for some businesses illegal version is more lucrative. The attractiveness of the profits is enhanced by the often minimal investment that is needed to commit environmental crimes and the relatively low risk of getting caught and prosecuted (Hyman Barack 2002). Ignorance covers genuine lack of awareness about environmental responsibilities (e. G. He subsistence poacher) or is the product of confusion about the intricacies of these responsibilities (e. G. The permit, licensing and record-keeping system required to breed and trade in native birds). Why is this issue important? Environmental issues have posed global challenges and have raised skepticism regarding the sustainability of nature to nurture human civilization. And among these environmental issues is the growing menace of environmental crimes. The threat that environmental crimes pose today is far period than it did a few decades ago. We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Crimes specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Crimes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Crimes specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In such a short span of time the rate of commission of such crimes has increased at such an alarming pace that it makes us question ourselves whether or not we will be able to survive this menace and see what will happens in the future. Environmental crime has come to be accepted as a genuine category of crime only very recently. It is because of the changing perceptions of people about the vulnerability of environment and the long term outcomes of their practices which are environmentally harmful. Even despite this growing awareness, environmental crimes often fail to prompt the required response y governments, the enforcement community and the public. Often perceived as victimless, environmental crimes do not always produce an immediate consequence, the harm may be diffused or go undetected for a lengthy period of time. The effects of a single environmental offence may not appear significant but the cumulative environmental consequences of repeated violations over time can be considerable. Also the impacts of such crimes affect the whole society. For example illegal logging contributes to deforestation. It deprives forest communities of vital livelihoods, causes ecological problems like flooding, and is a major contributor to climate change up to one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions stem from deforestation. Illicit trade in ODDS like the refrigerant chemicals chlorofluorocarbons (CIFS), contributes to a thinning ozone layer, which causes human health problems like skin cancer and cataracts. Even some of the consequences of these crimes are irreversible. All these indicate the gravity of the danger associated with environmental crimes. Adding on to this danger is the fact that Environmental crimes by their very nature are trans-boundary and involve cross-border criminal syndicates. Environmental crime has been identified as one of the most profitable and fastest growing areas of international criminal activity. Environmental crime generates tens of billions Of dollars in profits every year, and it is growing. Due to such huge amount of money being involved organized criminal groups are attracted to its high profit margins. Organized criminals are adaptable and resourceful; they build networks and cast their nets wide to avoid detection. Moreover, environmental crime also proves to be a catalyst for corruption. Criminals perceive it to be an easy option to generate huge profits and in the name way individuals in positions of authority or power view environmental crime as an opportunity to cash in. Signing and forging import and export certificates; facilitating the transport of illicit goods and turning a blind eye are all examples of institutionalized corruption. Furthermore, corruption may be preventing the true cost and extent of environmental crime from being properly assessed or effectively addressed. Environmental crime is now also becoming an avenue for money laundering. It involves a cash economy and therefore organized criminals avoid conventional banking systems. Offenders clean their funds by laundering the money through other equally illicit networks, thereby forming strong links to other criminal arenas making it difficult, if not impossible, to put a price on the proceeds of environmental crime. Need more be said about the seriousness of the issue of environmental crimes? It is high time to wake-up to this menace and take the necessary measures to tackle the plundering Of our planet. Illicit Wildlife Trafficking Each year hundreds of millions of plants and animals are caught and harvested from the wild and then sold in markets across the globe. Though a retreat deal of this trade is legal and is not harming the wild populations, a worryingly large proportion is illegal. And this proportion of illegal trade is on a continuous rise. Illicit wildlife trafficking describes any environment- related crime that involves the illegal trade, smuggling, poaching, capture or collection of endangered species, protected wildlife (including animals and plants that are subject to harvest quotas and regulated by permits), derivatives or products thereof. In 201 2 the financial value of illicit wildlife trafficking was estimated to be $ 19 billion. But reliable estimates of its uncial value are hard to find mainly because the trade is illegal and the true cost and extent of this illicit trafficking is prevented from being assessed. Unreported and unregulated fisheries trade alone has been estimated at between CSS$4. 2 billion and SIS$9. 5 billion per year, the value of the illegal timber trade as much as SIS$7 billion per year, and the illicit wildlife trafficking (excluding fisheries and timber) as between US$7. Billion and US$II billion per year. Combining these numbers, illicit wildlife trafficking (including timber and fisheries) comprises the fourth largest global illegal trade after narcotics, unmans and counterfeit products. It has become one of the most lucrative illicit markets in the world today. Illicit wildlife trafficking is a major concern not only because of its growing proportions but also because of the threats it poses to international security, global biodiversity and public health. Much of the trade in illegal wildlife products is run by criminal groups with broad international reach, and the profits involved can be used to finance further criminal activities. Illicit wildlife trafficking is also linked to other forms of illegal trafficking and money-laundering. We also find corruption associated tit illicit wildlife trafficking which along with deterring investment can cause reduction in the effectiveness of governments, erode the rule of law, and affect the growth of local communities. Wildlife is considered to be an important asset by many communities and the illegal exploitation of wildlife is cap able of driving species towards extinction and severely damaging attempts of sustaining biodiversity. Illegal harvesting of animals and flora can exceed the environments reproductive capabilities, which in turn can cause a devastating decline in the population of various species that are of vital importance to their respective ecosystems, the loss of which cause even further implications. It may also lead to introduction of invasive species. Non- native species can affect human, animal, and plant health, causing considerable economic and environmental damage. Invasive species are as big a threat to the balance of nature as the direct overexploitation by humans of some species. Many invasive species have been purposely introduced by wildlife traders; examples include the American Mink, the Red-eared Terrapin and countless plant species. Not just this, the illegal trade of wildlife is a major intriguing factor in the spread of various animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans.