The Environment as an Ideological Weapon: A Proposal to Criminalize Environmental Terrorism

Abstract

Global ecosystems are emerging as both targets and conduits of terrorist activity. The end of the Cold War and the changing face of terrorism have contributed to this development. Domestic law has not, however, kept pace with this threat. Applicable legal doctrines do not operate effectively with existing anti-terrorism strategies and fail to express adequately societal outrage at such conduct. A new criminal law of ecocide will provide more appropriate mechanisms for confronting this emerging threat.