Uncovering the Climate Crisis: The Hidden Impact of Environmental Crime

Environmental crime is on the rise, driven by organized crime and globalization. Many estimates suggest these crimes cost hundreds of billions of dollars each year. They not only harm ecosystems but also disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.

At the 2022 Conference of the Parties (COP) during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, experts stressed the urgent need to tackle the overlap between organized crime, environmental offenses, and climate challenges.

Research shows that crimes like illegal logging, sand trafficking, and unreported fishing are among the most lucrative for criminal organizations. They often operate with little risk, making use of vast transportation networks to smuggle goods without attracting much attention from law enforcement.

Mark Ungar, a criminal justice professor, describes it as a “Noah’s Ark of criminality,” pointing out how these networks integrate various illegal activities similarly to how large companies like Amazon manage their deliveries. Despite the increasing complexity of these crimes, public awareness hasn’t kept pace. The media still tends to focus on isolated incidents rather than the broader, systemic issues at play.

A recent study, the Environmental Crime Convergence Report, provides insights into how these syndicates operate. It notes that environmental crimes are often misunderstood and overlooked, making them less urgent in the eyes of the public and law enforcement.

Experts point out the need for improved media coverage. Just as public perceptions of white-collar crime shifted over time—from “victimless” to someone causing systemic harm—it’s crucial for environmental reporting to evolve, showcasing how these crimes affect communities and ecosystems.

One significant effort to raise awareness is the free online training offered by the FACT Coalition and the U.N. Interregional Crime Research Institute. It aims to educate journalists about the nuances of environmental crime, helping them uncover stories related to safety and security risks worldwide.

A critical aspect of this training is looking at how environmental crime intersects with climate change. For instance, in Kenya, illegal sand mining has been linked to erratic weather patterns and reduced groundwater levels, seriously impacting local agriculture. Halinishi Yusuf, a Kenyan geographer, illustrates this by discussing how her community suffered due to extensive sand removal for construction. As groundwater depleted, farmers faced challenges in sustaining their crops, highlighting the human cost of environmental crime.

By sharing these stories, journalists can foster greater understanding and encourage stronger national policies to combat this growing issue.

Overall, while environmental crimes present a dire challenge, increasing awareness and education can lead to meaningful change.

David Taylor is a freelance writer and adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins Science Writing Program. His works explore various aspects of environmental security and trade.

Sources: Earth League International; FACT Coalition; Scientific American; TRaCCC; UNEP; UNICRI.

Source link