End Ecocide

Environmental destruction must become a crime. A crime for which individuals and companies can be held responsible. That crime has a name: Ecocide.

Please click these links:

European Citizens' Initiative (only for European Citizens)

http://bit.ly/119U3xS

Wish 20 (everyone can sign)

http://bit.ly/13NjSsv

What is Ecocide?

Ecocide is the extensive damage to, destruction of or loss of ecosystem(s) of a given territory, whether by human agency or by other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of that territory has been or will be severely diminished.

In other words, Ecocide is the practice of damaging a natural environment (ecosystem) at an international, national or local level.

What's our aim?

We want Ecocide to become a crime for which companies and individuals can be held responsible according to criminal law. With this ECI and Wish 20, we propose that Ecocide becomes a crime in the following situations:

• when Ecocide happens on European Union and any global territory, including maritime territories
• when EU and global companies are involved or
• when EU and global citizens are involved

In addition, EU and global products which are based on Ecocide, as well as investment in activities resulting in Ecocide, will be prohibited.

Ecocide Examples

Large-scale land use change that causes the direct destruction of habitats – as is the case with deforestation in most tropical rainforests.
Significant pollution whether deliberate or incidental – such as oil dumping and spills.
Open cast mining where entire landscapes are removed – as is the case with oil sands and some coal and gold mining.
planetary boundaries.

How does the ECI work?

The European Citizens' Initiative was created so that Europeans can call upon the European Commission and propose European legislation. In this case, we are proposing the law to criminalise Ecocide in Europe.

We need 1 million signatures to get the European Parliament to start discussing the proposal in order to create a Law against Ecocide. If you live in Europe, and are of voting age, we need your signature!

Wish 20?

This ECI is part of a larger initiative whereby Polly Higgins, an international lawyer, proposes to make Ecocide the 5th International Crime Against Peace. Ecocide would then become illegal worldwide and anyone that breaks this law could be convicted by the International Criminal Court.

Further Information:

http://www.endecocide.eu/

http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/welcome

http://eradicatingecocide.com/overview/what-is-ecocide/