* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Criminalising ecocide -- the destruction of ecosystems -- is an idea that "just has to come," says David Hart, an environmental lawyer and advocate of 'wild law'
LONDON (AlertNet) - Criminalising 'ecocide' - the destruction of ecosystems - is an idea that "just has to come," says David Hart, an environmental lawyer and advocate of 'wild law'.
"[Ecocide] is turning something which humans as a whole regard as an obvious crime into something that is internationally recognised," he said in an interview with AlertNet at an event held in London by Net Impact recently.
At the the event, environmental lawyer Polly Higgins outlined the proposed law of ecocide, which she says should be recognised by the United Nations as a fifth crime against peace alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.
Hart, a barrister at One Crown Office Row in London whose environmental legal work covers water, waste, air and contaminated land, discussed the principles of wild law, an idea in which law and policy are modelled around ideas to do with nature rather than humans.
"You should not simply be able to trade off cash for nature," Hart said. "If you are proceeding with a project which has natural implications, you should either be able to compensate that simply by providing other areas of nature or the project shouldn't go ahead."
Net Impact is a network of students and professionals who believe business can create a more environmentally sustainable society.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
