Green criminology and brown crime: Despoliation, disposal and de-manufacturing in global resource industries

Abstract

Taking a green criminology approach to discussion of what White (Crimes against nature: Environmental criminology and ecological justice, Willan, Cullompton, 2008) calls “brown crimes” this chapter notes the current context of neo-liberal economic policies that demand pursuit of growth and minimisation of regulation. It then sets out five examples of damaging pollution and hazardous waste disposal before considering the irony of the growth of the de-manufacturing industries in China and India where recycling is producing heavy pollution and health harms. Discussion considers this state of environmental injustice, weak and failed regulation and the desirability of less rather than more growth.