Eco-Terrorism/Enviro-Terrorism: Background, Prospects, Countermeasures

Abstract

The terms eco-terrorism and environmental terrorism are discussed in terms of the context in which they have been and are presently used. Their historical origins and intended targets were originally quite different but the terms are increasingly perceived as being synonymous. The ease with which the environment can be used as a weapon to facilitate an attack against civilians or armed forces is of ever-increasing concern. Forest and bush fires may become a preferred weapon of choice due to the extent of damage versus low cost and risk of the perpetrators being caught. Countermeasures will include a heavier reliance on technological developments with regard to detection, be it fixed sensors or remote sensing, as well as improved intelligence network capabilities. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.