Environmental crime is an illegal act that directly harms the environment, encompassing offenses against wildlife, biodiversity, and natural resources. International bodies including the G7, Interpol, the European Union, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute recognize wildlife crime, illegal mining, pollution crimes, illegal and unregulated fishing, and illegal logging as forms of environmental crime.
Facts
Typical PenaltyBetween 1983 and 1990 the US Department of Justice secured over 57 million dollars in criminal penalties for environmental crimes and obtained prison sentences in 55 percent of cases 1 Notable ExampleEric Diesel, a California real estate developer, was sentenced in 2000 to six months in jail and a 300,000 dollar fine for grading an illegal road 1 Jurisdiction VariationThe European Commission proposed strengthening environmental crime enforcement across the European Union through clearer definitions and sanctions beyond the fines and imprisonment typically used 1 Classification
Offense Grade In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Europe, found in there.
Sources
1. Environmental Crime (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWikipedia, lead section, second paragraph
Environmental crime makes up almost a third of crimes committed by organizations such as; corporations, partnerships, unions, trusts, pension funds, and non-profits. It is the fourth largest criminal activity in the world and it is increasing by five to seven percent every year.
Enforcement section
Between 1983 and 1990 the US Department of Justice secured $57,358,404.00 in criminal penalties and obtained sentences of imprisonment for 55% of defendants.
United States section
In 2000, California real estate developer Eric Diesel was sentenced to 6 months in jail and ordered to pay a $300,000 fine for grading an illegal road.
Environmental crime in the European Union section
clearer definitions and sanctions other than the typical fines and imprisonment
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