Environmental crimes & their effects

what is an environmental crime?

Environmental crimes pose a grave threat to our society, our planet, and natural resources. These crimes significantly damage our ecosystem by bringing environmental disaster, and pollution and reducing the quality of life.

The following environmental crimes have been recognized by international organizations like the European Union, the United Nations Environment Programmed, and many more.

1. Illegal logging
2. Wildlife trafficking
3. Illegal fishing
4. Pollution
5. Poaching
6. legally mining

Illegal logging : Illegal logging refers to, cutting down trees in protected areas or without proper authorization, causing deforestation and damaging the ecosystem. Forests hold 80% of the world’s remaining land-based biodiversity. Illegal timbering threatens the world’s forests.
Illegal logging is affecting the environment, society, and the economy. For example,

Deforestation : Illegal logging is a major cause of deforestation, resulting in habitat destruction, and Destabilizing the ecosystem.

Lossing Biodiversity : Forests are home to 80% of the world’s remaining land-based biodiversity. Deforestation and cutting down trees simultaneously, endanger numerous species and lead to biodiversity loss.

Disruption of the ecosystem : Essential ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, water purification, and climate regulation are provided by the forests. Illegal logging disrupts this kind of activity resulting destabilizing of the ecosystem.

Economic losses : Illegal logging reduces the sustainability of the forestry sector. The government is deprived of revenue from timber royalty and tax & also creates unfair competition for legal timber producers leading to economic losses.
Overall, illegal logging poses significant threats to the environment, society, and economy.

Wildlife trafficking : Wildlife trafficking refers to the illegal harvesting and selling or trading of wildlife, and wildlife products and plants including their parts for various purposes. It’s the most profitable environmental crime for criminals. Many criminal groups and dangerous international networks are involved in this crime.

Key aspects of wildlife trafficking,

1. Endangered species: These criminals often target rare animals that are endangered such as birds. elephants, Rhinos, tigers, etc. These animals are sought after for their rarity, perceived medicinal properties, or as luxury items.
   
2. Poaching : Poaching refers to illegally hunting wildlife animals for their body parts, such as rhino horns, tiger bones, pangolin scales, etc. And for this reason, endangered wildlife animals are under threat today.
   
3. Environmental impact : wildlife trafficking is a major cause of biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and ecosystem disruption. By hunting down these wildlife animals our ecosystem is being imbalanced
   
4. Legal and regulatory challenges : Even with international law for wildlife trafficking, it is still challenging to enforce wildlife trafficking laws due to corruption, insufficient resources, and limited cooperation between countries. Also, the demand for rare animals, traditional medicines, and luxury goods continues to drive illegal wildlife trafficking.

Illegal fishing: Illegal fishing refers to fishing activities that violate laws or international agreements governing fisheries management and conservation. It surrounds various illegal activities conducted by individuals, or companies, often for financial gain. Illegal fishing can occur in coastal waters, exclusive economic zones, or international waters.

Key aspects of illegal fishing,

1. Overfishing : Overfishing refers to catching fish beyond sustainable levels. Overfishing can lead to ecosystem imbalances and reduced biodiversity.

2. Unauthorized fishing : Unauthorized fishing refers to fishing without proper licenses, permits, or authorization from relevant authorities. unauthorized fishing can also create unfair competition for legal fisheries. it can occur in protected areas, marine reserves, or international water.

3. Use of prohibited gear : Using prohibited gears such as drift nets, bottom trawls, or cyanide can cause habitat damage, bycatch of non-target species & also significantly damage the ecosystem.

4. Fisheries crime and organized crime : Illegal fishing is often involved with organized crime networks, corruption, etc. Criminals exploit weak governance structures, engage in bribery, and operate with impunity, exacerbating the challenges of combating illegal fishing.

To combat illegal fishing requires strong enforcement of fisheries regulations, Strong surveillance and monitoring, and cooperation between governments and law enforcement agencies.

Pollution : Pollution refers to when any harmful substance is introduced into the natural environment in amounts or concentrations & causes adverse effects on ecosystems, human health, and the well-being of other living organisms. Pollution can originate from both human-made sources and nature.
Some common types of pollution are discussed below,

1. Air pollution: This type of pollution involves the release of harmful substances, like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, or particulate matter like dust, smoke, and pollen into the atmosphere. vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and power plants are also the causes of air pollution. According to UNEP’s air pollution analyst
   
   around 7 million premature deaths every year are the consequences of air pollution. Air pollution can cause respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases including acid rain.
   
2. Water pollution: Water pollution occurs when toxic substances are discharged into water, like rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater. Man-made sources such as sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural pesticides, fertilizers, oil spills, plastic waste, and harmful substances are most responsible for water pollution. Water pollution may cause Diseases like Cholera, Typhoid fever, Dysentery, Malaria, Skin infections, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. polluted water is the cause of over one million deaths each year.
   
3. Soil pollution: Soil pollution refers to land pollution. Mostly industrial waste is responsible for land pollution, also the deposition of solid waste, such as household garbage., or trash on land causes land pollution. Polluted soil leads to a loss of fertile land for agriculture and reduces the availability of food.

Poaching : Poaching refers to the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals for their parts of rarity. Poaching poses a significant threat to endangered animals and the structure of the ecosystem. Poaching can occur for various purposes, such as the trade of animal parts,

traditional medicine, skins, and exotic pets. Due to corruption and limited cooperation between countries, it’s a challenge to fight against these criminals. To prevent poaching involving a combination of law enforcement, anti-poaching patrols, monitoring and surveillance, public awareness, and international cooperation is necessary.

Illegal mining : illegal mining refers to mining activities without authorization or permits from relevant authorities It is a significant poses threat to the environment, communities, and economy. Illegal mining leads to environmentally destructive practices, such as deforestation, damaging sensitive habitats, and pollution of water.

Illegal mining operations often use chemicals such as mercury, cyanide, and arsenic to extract minerals from ore. and improper handling and illegal disposal of these chemicals can lead to water pollution. illegal mining often leads to conflicts over land rights, resource access, and environmental impacts between mining companies or governments, also depriving governments of revenue from mineral royalties, taxes, and fees.