British campaigner urges UN to accept 'ecocide' as international crime
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/09/ecocide-crime-genocide-un-environmental-da...
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A campaign to declare the mass destruction of ecosystems an international crime against peace - alongside genocide and crimes against humanity - is being launched in the UK.
The proposal for the United Nations to accept "ecocide" as a fifth "crime against peace", which could be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC), is the brainchild of British lawyer-turned-campaigner Polly Higgins.
The radical idea would have a profound effect on industries blamed for widespread damage to the environment like fossil fuels, mining, agriculture, chemicals and forestry.
Supporters of a new ecocide law also believe it could be used to prosecute "climate deniers" who distort science and facts to discourage voters and politicians from taking action to tackle global warming and climate change.
"Ecocide is in essence the very antithesis of life," says Higgins. "It leads to resource depletion, and where there is escalation of resource depletion, war comes chasing behind. Where such destruction arises out of the actions of mankind, ecocide can be regarded as a crime against peace."
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/09/ecocide-crime-genocide-un-envi...
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tenletterz [removed]
- This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
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tenletterz [removed]
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bocky10
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tenletterz:
Fair enough, no agenda here, I just want the truth and some accountability. People that lie and inflate or downplay statistics to advance their agenda only undermine themselves in he end anyway.
- 2 years ago
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bocky10
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bocky10
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Without a doubt, countries that knowingly create environmental disasters and adversely effect their citizens as well as those of surrounding countries, should be held accountable. A good example is the destruction caused by China's production of cheap cashmere. (see link below) Its created a replay of the dust bowl experienced in the 1930's in the United States.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003498352_cashmere282.html
- 2 years ago
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bocky10
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ampersand
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"Cede sovereignty" is a code phrase meaning: "I don't have to obey any stinking laws pertaining to how I destroy the earth, or anyone else?"
It's convenient that some recent US administrations claim exemption from international law regarding war crimes.
Naturally, if you aren't too keen on accepted norms of human behavior that the rest of earth has enacted into law, you'll want to be in a place that claims exemption from those laws.
For real freedom of personal behavior, Tenletterz, you may try the waters off the coast of Somalia. - 2 years ago
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ampersand
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crispyfritters
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The margin for abuse that this law has is incredible. They could throw anyone in jail for blaspheming the principle of global warming.
- 2 years ago
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crispyfritters
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ampersand
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Destroying the fabric of nature that we depend on, and not incidentally wiping out myriad species along with that destruction, along with poisoning millions of our fellow humans, is of far greater effect and has far more devastating consequences, than the death of a single human being, and is far more deserving of interdiction and punishment.
It's time the law, heavy with the weight of English property law and vengeful biblical injunctions, reflected the reality of life today. - 2 years ago
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ampersand
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s_peak
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Awesome! I like it.
- 2 years ago
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s_peak
