Abstract

The destruction of the Earth system by industrial technologies is jeopardizing the living conditions of present and future generations, humans and non-humans. Along with political, diplomatic and economic initiatives, international law has a role to play in transforming our relationship with the natural world, shifting that relationship from one of harm to one of harmony. Individuals, but also legal entities that are actively responsible for this destruction, must be prosecuted when their decisions undermine the integrity of life on Earth and the safety of the planet. To meet that challenge, law has to shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism and recognize an international crime: Ecocide.