Evaluate sociological explanations for the types and patterns of green crime Flashcards
How does traditional criminology define green crime?
Traditional criminology defines crime as acts that break laws (Situ & Emmons, 2000). It focuses on prosecuting individual offenders and often ignores corporate or state environmental crimes.
How does green criminology define green crime?
Green criminology defines crime as any harm to the environment, regardless of legality (White, 2008). It focuses on corporate environmental harm and offers a broader global perspective.
What is an example of corporate green crime?
The Bhopal Disaster (1984): A gas leak from Union Carbide (now Dow Chemical) in India killed thousands. Legally, only minor fines were imposed, showing how corporate crimes evade serious punishment.
What is the evaluation of green criminology?
While green criminology provides a moral framework for addressing environmental harm, it lacks legal enforcement, making it difficult to tackle green crime effectively.
P2:What are primary green crimes?
Primary green crimes involve direct environmental harm, such as air pollution, deforestation, and water contamination (South, 2014).
What are secondary green crimes?
Secondary green crimes involve breaking environmental laws, such as toxic waste dumping, illegal oil spills, and state complicity in environmental harm (South, 2014).
What is an example of secondary green crime?
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (1989): One of the largest oil spills in history, affecting Alaskan ecosystems. The company paid damages but escaped criminal charges, showing corporate power in environmental crime regulation.
What is the evaluation of green crime enforcement?
Sutherland (1983) argues that environmental crime lacks the stigma of street crime, leading to weak enforcement of regulations. Corporations prioritise profit over environmental responsibility, causing long-term ecological damage.
P3:How do individuals commit green crime?
Individuals commit green crimes such as fly-tipping, illegal waste dumping, and poaching.
How do corporations commit green crime?
Corporations commit green crimes through pollution, deforestation, and toxic waste disposal.
How do governments commit green crime?
Governments commit green crimes through military pollution, nuclear testing, and failing to enforce environmental laws.
What is an example of state green crime?
The Beirut Explosion (2020): Government negligence in storing ammonium nitrate led to a massive explosion, killing and injuring thousands. Officials evaded responsibility, highlighting state complicity in green crime.
What is the Marxist view on green crime perpetrators?
Marxist criminologists argue that green crime is committed by the powerful (corporations and governments), while working-class environmental offences (e.g., fly-tipping) are criminalised more harshly.
P4:What is environmental racism?
Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate impact of environmental harm on the poorest communities, particularly in the Global South (Potter, 2010).
How does globalisation contribute to green crime?
Globalisation has increased green crime as corporations outsource pollution to developing nations with weaker environmental regulations.
What is an example of environmental racism?
E-waste dumping in Africa: Europe and the US illegally export toxic electronic waste to countries like Ghana and Nigeria, leading to severe pollution and health risks.
How does globalisation exploit developing nations?
Global companies exploit weak regulations in poorer countries, prioritising profit over environmental responsibility. Developed nations contribute most to pollution but shift responsibility elsewhere.
What is Snider’s (1991) view on capitalism and green crime?
Snider argues that corporations pressure governments to weaken environmental laws, proving that capitalism drives green crime. This highlights the systemic nature of environmental harm.
