Overview
In Eradicating Ecocide, international environment lawyer and Ecocide law expert Polly Higgins sets out to demonstrate how our planet is fast being destroyed by the activities of corporations and governments, facilitated by ‘compromise’ laws that offer insufficient deterrence. She offers a solution that is radical yet pragmatic, and, as she explains, necessary. This is the first book to examine the power of law to change everything. Higgins provides context by presenting examples of laws in other countries and in earlier times in history which have succeeded in curtailing the power of governments, corporations and banks, and have triggered change. Eradicating Ecocide is a crash course on what laws work, what doesn’t and what else is required to prevent the ever escalating destruction. Eradicating Ecocide provides a comprehensive overview of what is required in law in order to prevent ecocide. It is a book unlike any other; based on the principle of ‘first do no harm’, it applies equally to global as well as smaller communities and anyone who is involved in decision-making.
Reviews
"At this critical juncture in history it is vital that we set global standards of accountability for corporations. . . . Polly Higgins illustrates how this can be achieved in her invaluable new book." —Bianca Jagger, founder and chair, Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation Advocate for Crimes Against Present and Future Generations
"The book in general is a thorough exposition of the litany of seemingly mindless pollution and destruction that no one can deny is happening." —Real Reform
"The importance of Polly Higgins’ work is her ability to combine vision and passion with an utterly convincing and achievable way forward." —Michael Mansfield, Resurgence
“Higgins’ proposals are a source for inspiration for jurists, citizens, elders and politicians to refer to and work towards … Moderate change is simply not enough in a time of planetary and inter-generational and current social justice crisis. Polly Higgins’ interventions are most welcome. She should be encouraged to take matters forward.” —Richard Kotter, International Journal of Environmental Studies
"At this critical juncture in history it is vital that we set global standards of accountability for corporations. . . . Polly Higgins illustrates how this can be achieved in her invaluable new book." —Bianca Jagger, founder and chair, Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation Advocate for Crimes Against Present and Future Generations
Author Biography
Polly Higgins is a barrister and international environmental lawyer who demystifies our environmental crises from a legal perspective. Advocating a crime of ecocide – ‘extensive damage, destruction to or loss of ecosystems’ – has one basic, overriding tenet, first do no harm. The Ecologist Magazine voted her one of the 'Worlds Top 10 Visionary Thinkers', and she was nominated 'The Lawyer for Planet Earth' by the 2010 Performance Awards.