Environmental Crimes and Green Victimization

Abstract

The field of criminology continues to give little attention to the behaviors and crimes that adversely impact the environment although decades of research has highlighted these crimes result in greater social harms, losses, and deaths compared to traditional street crimes. Moreover, these crimes are met with little consequences despite several laws and regulations charged with protecting the environment and public welfare. As a result, residents of minority and poor communities are faced with social, racial, and economic inequalities. This draws attention to the green victimization of marginalized groups and underrepresented populations worldwide. In the United States, these groups include Native Americans, low-income white communities, and prisoners. On a global scale, examples include the Amungme tribe, those who work and live near tanneries in Bangladesh, and Indigenous environmental activists. The chapter seeks to identify and raise awareness of invisible victims of environmental crimes.