Who supports ecocide law

"Vivimos una gran crisis ecológica global cuya causa principal son las actividades humanas. Bajo ninguna circunstancia nuestra sociedad actual tiene viabilidad en el tiempo. Necesitamos un cambio estructural, un cambio en nuestra legalidad, necesitamos una Ley del Ecocidio".

“No podemos seguir cerrando los ojos ante el daño permanente a la madre tierra. Debemos tomar conciencia y colectivizarnos para actuar y responsabilizar a los que destruyen el medio ambiente de forma continuada y consciente. La ley del ecocidio tiene que ser una realidad”

“Making ecocide an international crime is an essential step towards tackling the global climate crisis. Given the events of the past year, and in the run-up to COP26 and beyond, an ecocide law is the key to holding corporations and governments to account for damaging our planet. The Stop Ecocide campaign plays a crucial role in driving this process forward and it has been inspiring to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate team of women.”

“Today 90% of big fishes are gone, 90% of fish-stocks are overfished; Contrary to popular belief, there aren't plenty of fish in the sea. Stop Ecocide allows us all to speak out to protect the ocean that provides our oxygen, our water and our lifeblood”

“That there are only a handful of States that have criminalized ecocide is a reminder of the need to establish a crime of ecocide at the international level.”

“Mass damage and destruction of nature is called Ecocide and it should be an international crime, just like genocide. That's why I signed up to the Stop Ecocide campaign, working with lawyers, researchers and diplomats to make Ecocide a crime at the International Criminal Court.”

“Ecocide is a crime and must be punished as such. From early childhood, living in Amelisweerd, the Netherlands, I learned that asphalt wins over nature. At the time, our house had to be demolished for highway A27; I remember police units and people in trees. Only recently did I really 'wake up'. Now it is my turn to take action. Mother Earth is furious and I don't blame her. By looking away we pollute our own nest. As Jane Fonda so aptly said; 'Even dogs don't poop in their kennel'. We are intrinsically to the natural world and its magical ecosystems that have provided for us for so long. We must no longer just take. It is time to give back. We owe it to the Earth.”

Image via @valentinavos

“La ley del ecocidio, será una ley de leyes. Una ley para sancionar con firmeza a quiénes destruyen las bases de la vida y sus cómplices. Y, por otro lado, para promover la Vida en la Tierra en todo su esplendor. Dijo Sócrates: «El secreto del cambio no [solo] es enfocar toda tu energía en luchar contra lo viejo, sino en construir lo nuevo». Por todo ello, apoyemos a Stop Ecocidio ahora"

“Establishing the law of Ecocide would signal a major breakthrough in the way we deal with crimes against the natural world. Polly Higgins’ groundbreaking proposal to list Ecocide as the fifth global crime against peace would go a long way towards deterring and holding to account CEOs, companies and nations.”

“Human beings ... are intrinsically connected to the entire web of a living universe. Nothing expresses this more powerfully than the movement which brings Ecocide alive as an internationally recognised crime.”

“How and why ecocide is not already a criminal offence is a stark and poignant illustration of how our values as a society are deeply at odds with those of our planet.”

"I’m firmly in favour of seeing ecocide made an international crime over which the ICC has jurisdiction."

“Thank you for this vital work. It’s unthinkable that we have no laws to prevent killing the life support system that sustains all life on Earth. Tantamount to facilitating suicide, infanticide, genocide – let's work together to stop ecocide and start looking forward to a brighter future!”

“La Agroecologia […] es la solución para tener un planeta vivo, biodiverso y resiliente. Necesitamos contar con una ley que reconozca el crimen de ecocidio en la Corte Penal Internacional para poder reconducir las actividades agrícolas, ganaderas y silvícolas hacia prácticas seguras y sanas para todos los seres vivos, incluidas las personas presentes y futuras”.

‘SOA Hispanoamerica supports the Stop Ecocide International initiative, promoting the recognition of ecocide as an international crime to protect biodiversity and guarantee environmental justice in the defence of our Ocean and the planet.’

“Criminal law has often tended to turn a blind eye to “white collar” crime by wealthy elites. A crime of ecocide may help reduce such structural injustices by reframing the most rapacious acts as criminal and not commercial. Even if one believes that there should be a lot less recourse to criminal law, ecocide is among the most serious harms that deserve to be criminalized.”

"For 35 years I have been campaigning in one way or another for humans and other species to live together in an environment which is healthy and mutually respectful. As we can see, despite the efforts of many good people the destruction of our global commons seems to grow ever more rapidly. We are a long way from stopping the worst abuses and for this reason I fully support a legislative agenda including Ecocide as a punishable offence under international law."

"Ecocide is not only a crime against life, it is suicidal for us because we are the apex predator that is utterly dependent on nature's services."

"We call our planet Earth, but in fact we should call it "Planet Ocean". Over 70% of the surface itself consists of ocean/sea... it is literally vital that we have a healthy ocean... the Sea First Foundation supports this initiative wholeheartedly. Ecocide law will protect the ocean from the damage and destruction caused by humans."

“Es wird den Umweltschutz voranbringen, wenn Unternehmen und die verantwortlichen Menschen in den Unternehmen endlich für angerichtete ökologische Schäden haftbar gemacht werden.”

“The concept of Ecocide is long overdue. It could lead to an important change in the way people perceive – and respond to – the current environmental crisis.”

”How can ecocide be morally or legally acceptable? Ecosystems can’t voice their lack of consent to our damage and destruction of them, but this doesn’t make it open season. It must stop. With ecocide law in place, we can prevent the destruction of our only home."

"I share the ambition… to ensure that this term is enshrined in international law so that leaders … are accountable before the International Criminal Court."

“In these days when the human impact on the environment is becoming everyday more evident and proves to be not only damaging to our surroundings but a serious threat to human life and survival, it is imperative that we should declare Ecocide a Crime Against Peace.

"The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a solution country in the face of the climate crisis: with 62% of the Congo Basin’s forest cover, it is home to the planet’s largest remaining tropical rainforest and extraordinary biodiversity. Yet this natural wealth is threatened by massive and unregulated destruction. Recognising ecocide as a crime is a vital legal tool to protect the DRC’s ecosystems, defend its communities, and build truly sustainable development."

"Our societies have to be able to comply with intergenerational obligations. Establishing ecocide as an international crime is essential to create the necessary legal framework to protect planetary life and safeguard the future in peace of current and future generations"

“It makes perfect sense for the ICC to consider ecocide, namely these major environmental disasters, as one of the crimes against humanity. Ecocide, in its own right, must be included in the same categories as genocide or war crimes, as major attacks against humanity.”

'We call on all leaders to join us as we explore pathways for addressing ecological destruction and climate breakdown… with the proposal of an amendment to the Rome Statute as a concrete first step.'

“We live in an anthropocentric society that believes humans are superior to the Earth, thinking of themselves as separate from it. However, in reality, we belong to the interconnected system that is our planet. Based on this idea, it is important to promote the recognition of ecocide as an international crime because it is an attack on humanity, since damage to the planet is an attack on our own existence.”.

“Within 2-3 years our citizens will have the same sense of urgency pertaining to the risk of ecocide as they have now with the climate crisis, and its right to have that.”

“I believe [a crime of ecocide] would change everything. It would radically shift the balance of power, forcing anyone contemplating large-scale vandalism to ask themselves: ‘Will I end up in the international criminal court for this?’ It could make the difference between a habitable and an uninhabitable planet.”

On 16th July 2020, Greta Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer, Anuna de Wever and Adélaïde Carlier demanded, in an open letter, that all EU leaders and heads of state ‘must #FaceTheClimateEmergency’ and “advocate to make ecocide an international crime at the International Criminal Court.”

„Zerstörungen von menschlichen Existenzen und Tote infolge der fortschreitenden Naturzerstörung und Klimaüberhitzung nehmen massiv zu. Doch die Verursacher gehen straffrei aus. Das muss sich ändern. Daher unterstütze ich die Initiative zur Aufnahme des Verbrechens Ökozid in den internationalen Strafgerichtshof.“

“Creo que toda la Tierra está viva, por eso me he unido como Protectora de la Tierra, para que haya una ley internacional que proteja los ecosistemas, que proteja a todos los seres de la Tierra contra el maltrato, la violencia y la destrucción”.

„Die Ausweitung der Zuständigkeit des IStGH auf Ökozid-Verbrechen ist ein logischer, gerechter, einfacher und mächtiger Schritt. Politiker, die sich diesem Verfahren in den Weg stellen, werden sich in wenigen Jahren vermutlich dafür verantworten müssen – so wie für all die vielen Fehlentscheidungen, die wir täglich beobachten. Die Generation der Fridays For Future, deren Zukunft heute zerstört wird, wird Wege finden, Verantwortliche zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen.“

“… the recognition of ecocide is essential to protect African resources and guarantee our sovereignty. Africa, rich in strategic minerals, cannot accept that their exploitation comes at the cost of the devastation of our forests, soils and communities.”

"Schwere, großflächige und lang anhaltende Schäden an den globalen Ökosystemen sind Verbrechen an unserer Erde und allen Geschöpfen, die auf ihr leben. Diese Verbrechen müssen bestraft werden - und zwar individuell. Bisher verschanzen sich die Verantwortlichen hinter ihren Staaten oder ihren Unternehmen. Wenn das nicht mehr möglich ist und sie vielleicht selber büßen müssen, wird das Einfluss auf ihre Entscheidungen haben..."

"We call on states to join the group of nations proposing to include the crime of ecocide in the Rome statute. Acting with the knowledge of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment can no longer be tolerated.”

"Such recognition of environmental crimes, including the crime of ecocide, by international, regional, and domestic legal systems would strengthen accountability for environmental harms.”

'Belgium is continuing internal discussion with a view to a possible criminalisation of the crime of ecocide in its penal code, complemented by efforts at the international level to raise awareness.'

“The destruction of nature is no longer a local or national problem. Ecosystems do not acknowledge borders, and nature has no nationality. That is why ecocide should be an international crime… Thank you Stop Ecocide International for your important work.”

‘Ecocide would need to be a true ICC crime inline with the Rome Statute and in harnessing the power of international criminal law for the protection of our shared global government.’

"As a lawyer and father, I plea for laws that effectively protect our planet, our children and our future generations. Recognising the human right to a healthy environment and ecocide law at the global level, will definitely help. We only have one planet and time is running out. Ecocide will mend our criminal law system. Join us, get on board: become an Earth Protector."

"If ecocide were declared a crime by the ICC, this could have a daunting effect on those corporate tyrants who currently know they can get away with devastating the world’s “sacrifice zones” where they are pillaging the earth’s resources for profit."

"Nadie puede florecer completamente en una comunidad que no se realiza, donde se condena a unos a la exclusión y se explota al ambiente. Pienso que resulta esencial consolidar internacionalmente la figura del ecocidio en pos de forjar en el presente un mundo más saludable y justo, integrando los valores de responsabilidad ecológica e inclusión social en la construcción de una realidad global ascendente”.

"It is high time we rekindle our relationship to the natural world, and embrace our deep connection. This means many things, as well as evolving our thinking about the laws that govern us to include the multitude of species and ecosystems that we share our Mother Earth with."

“LIFE has the right to life. This should be the first of all human rights. Because all lives have the right to their own continuity from the moment that—and this should suffice—they exist not only for themselves but also for the biological multiplicity on which all species, especially us humans, depend. And to protect life, we need to make ecocide a universal crime”.

“The idea of establishing the crime of Ecocide is both timely and compelling... I am now a fully signed-up Earth Protector! I agree with the analysis that ‘only criminal law can stop the harm’, as it’s clear that existing legal sanctions are totally failing to do what we so urgently need them to do.”

‘The scientific evidence and authoritative assessments are overwhelming… For small, vulnerable countries, there is little other option…. it is the rule of law that provides the most effective protection.’

„Es ist richtig, Ökozid als Straftatbestand anzuerkennen, damit wir ein weiteres juristisches Mittel an der Hand haben, um die Erderhitzung auf 1,5-Grad zu begrenzen und die schlimmsten Schäden der natürlichen Lebensgrundlagen für unsere Kinder zu verhindern.“

“We are living in unprecedented times directed by prophecy. The Mother Earth is calling us all into action—to unify and stand up to protect her and all life. The Original Peoples are her voice and live by Nature’s law. Stop Ecocide understands such wisdom. In this action, we are stepping away from those who are destroying Life, and stepping with those that protect the sacredness of Life. Our very survival is at hand. We must be mindful, as we choose our next steps!”

“Currently, we allow our political and business leaders to get aware with murder. Now is the time to change that. We need direct liability for those who are destroying our future and this planet. We need fast, profound and systemic change. History only moves forward when courageous people get up and act. That’s why I support this citizen’s initiative to recognise ecocide as the crime it is.”

"Som lektor i politisk økonomi ved jeg hvordan manglen på juridiske rammer til beskyttelse af naturen har skabt et system hvor miljøødelæggelser kan foregå uden reelle konsekvenser. Som aktivist ser jeg at en økomord lovgiving ville være et afgørende paradigmeskift der vil transformere beslutningsprocesser i både erhvervslivet og det politiske system ved at etablere et bindende ansvar for miljøskader og dermed fundamentalt ændre vores forhold til naturen. Som mor forstår jeg at kampen for at få ecocide anerkendt som en strafbar forbrydelse handler om mere end jura og politik – det handler om hvilket samfund og hvilken planet vi efterlader til vores børn. Derfor støtter jeg Stop Ecocide Danmarks arbejde for at sikre, at omfattende ødelæggelser af vores natur ikke længere kan foregå på lovlig vis."

Associate Professor, Economic Policy, Institutions and Change, Roskilde University, Denmark

"As an Associate Professor in economic policy, I know that the lack of a legal framework to protect nature has fostered a system that allows environmental destruction to happen without any real consequences. As an activist, I'm convinced that an ecocide law is the crucial paradigm shift that will transform decision-making processes in both business and the political system by establishing binding liability for environmental damage and thus fundamentally changing our relationship with nature. As a mother, I understand that the fight to have ecocide recognized as a crime is about much more than law and politics - it's about what kind of society and planet we leave for our children."

“There is no more time. We must change course. We have the opportunity to make history and get the International Criminal Court to incorporate ecocide as a crime.”

“Para poder aplicar la ley con justicia en torno a nuestra naturaleza, es fundamental marcar claras algunas bases, especialmente la palabra ecocidio y el concepto del ecocidio deben brillar en la legislación internacional. Creo sinceramente en esta campaña, que para salvar a la Tierra hace falta tipificar este delito, el crímen de ecocidio”.

“Ecocide must become a criminal offense. As ecosystems collapse and climate impacts escalate, we need powerful legal protection for the living world. Recognizing ecocide as a crime affirms our responsibility to safeguard the planet and future generations.”

“An international law of ecocide is long overdue and absolutely must happen. It is an essential component of protecting life on Earth. I fully support the Stop Ecocide movement.”

"There is an urgency here and recognition of the crime of ecocide at the international level might just be the tipping point we require to elevate our collective consciousness and action toward a safer planet."

“Polly Higgins did something extremely important. She changed the way our civilization now looks at the rights of the earth itself. By bringing the notion of ecocide into legal question, she has expanded the way we think of what is happening around us.”

"The recognition of ecocides has been discussed since the 1960s and the use in Vietnam of the Agent Orange on ecosystems and the population. More than 50 years later, the gravest environmental crimes remain unpunished, and justice has still to come for the Vietnamese, and all the other victims of ecocides, humans or non-humans. We still have the choice to save our planet, or not. It is time to recognize ecocide."

“As stewards of the Earth, we must bear the burden to protect the planet from ecocide. The proverbial clock is ticking, and it is our responsibility right now, to acknowledge and stop acts of environmental injustice locally as well as globally. Damage to our ecosystems is a violation that is detrimental to the health and existence of all species. We must work together to NAME these crimes as well as those who perpetrate them.”

Als Forensiker befasse ich mich mit Verbrechen. Ökozid gilt jedoch nach wie vor nicht als internationales Verbrechen. Unsere Lebensgrundlagen vorsätzlich oder durch Duldung zu zerstören und die damit verbundene Verletzung unzähliger Menschen darf nicht ungestraft bleiben. Die Verantwortlichen müssen persönlich zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden. Schon die Aussicht darauf wird ihr Verhalten ändern – daher sind bereits Gespräche über #ÖKOZID wirksam.

“I believe that ecocide law is very much needed and inevitably on its way. It will be an important step towards a deep connection with Nature. It will provide the moral impetus to change 'business as usual' and lead us towards a true humble love for our home, the Earth.”

“Unlimited growth assumes unlimited resources, and this is the genesis of Ecocide. The move to commodify all of nature is the next step in its destruction. The earth is not ours to plunder. Nature has rights as surely as any that exist.”

“The problem in the past is that if you hold a company responsible [for environmental destruction], who sits in the dock? Who is responsible? There are real people in the company and the object of the Ecocide act is not just aimed at companies it is aimed at individuals… individual responsibility is the only way there will be any change.”

“We are a part of Nature, not separate from it, and yet we have allowed people to destroy it without consequence – often consciously. A law of Ecocide is that consequence – until we give our planet more legal protection, we are only going to see continued destruction.”

“Leaving a better planet for our children is not an option, it is a responsibility. The fight against ecocide is key to ensuring a sustainable future in which companies align themselves with respect and protection for our environment. It is time to act.”

“The climate and ecological crises can be addressed together through an ecocide law. In the Scottish Parliament I am building support for Scotland to join others in the international community in support of the Stop Ecocide International campaign. Stopping ecocide is not a choice, it is our duty. All of us can be earth protectors and take bold action to avert climate and ecological catastrophe.”

"The destruction of ecosystems and the environment - ecocide - MUST be enshrined as an international crime! The fact that in the 21st century we still debate whether to protect the environment as an end in itself is simply shameful!"

“I fully believe in this cause. Making ecocide a recognised law will place a cap on the irresponsible actions of fat cats who hide behind corporate shields to destroy lives and harm the planet.”

“Piensen en las personas, no en los negocios. Ustedes son responsables de lo que puede ser el mayor genocidio y ecocidio del siglo XXI".

“Recently heard about this campaign to make #ECOCIDE (serious damage and destruction of nature) a crime at the International Criminal Court. The idea is clearly catching on... and not before time if we are to prevent further devastation of the planet. I've just signed up as an “Earth Protector” to support it.”Image © Mary McCartney

"I am dismayed by the destruction of nature I see around me and in the media. We are a huge number of people who want to stop that. Ecocide must be made a crime in international law."

“By ‘ecocide’ we should understand the loss, damage and destruction of ecosystems of a given territory, so that its enjoyment by the inhabitants has been or may be severely affected. This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised as such by the international community.”

"We are in an environmental emergency.”“It is time to make ecocide a crime against humanity and put the rights of people and Nature first to create a healthy and sustainable planet for all species."

‘We have a responsibility to the next generation… I’m absolutely convinced that this crime of ecocide will be adopted. The only issue is not whether, but when and in what form.’

"Klimawandel und Krieg bringen schwerwiegende Umweltzerstörungen mit sich, die den Frieden gefährden. Klimaklagen und das Verbot von Ökoziden als Kriegsverbrechen im Völkerstrafrecht sind wichtige Beiträge der nachhaltigen Friedenssicherung."

Richard A. Falk drafted an Ecocide Convention in 1973, explicitly recognizing at the outset “that man has consciously and unconsciously inflicted irreparable damage to the environment in times of war and peace.”

”The worldwide destruction of Earth’s climate and biodiversity is proof that our current legal system is failing to protect the natural ecosystems that all life depends on. We need to develop more earth centric laws that acknowledge and protect the innate rights of nature itself, such as a law on ecocide.”

“Women have a crucial role to play in protecting our planet and restoring our relationship with the natural world. We’re already seeing women of all ages from teens to eighties stepping up and speaking up on behalf of the Earth, the late, great Polly Higgins among them. It’s wonderful to see Jojo stewarding Polly’s legacy, and taking it to ever greater heights.”

“It is clear to me that it is women globally from every culture and every economic background who are holding the love, courage and vision we need to transform our globe into a natural society of equity and harmony. At the root of this change is Jojo Mehta and of course her collaborator the late Polly Higgins - against all odds they are starting to succeed to get global legal and institutional recognition for acts of ecocide... like my mother they are not phased by the continuous set backs and dismissals... they the warriors of our future - there is hope for us all in their fierce love of life.”

“If the ICC recognised an international crime of ecocide then they could investigate the most severe crimes and companies would take it more seriously. All companies are concerned about reputational damage, no company wants to be known as someone who is doing irreparable damage.”

“For decades we have used Planet Earth as a treasure chest to plunder, destroying habitats, endangering those we share our home with and giving back nothing but pollution. It’s time mankind realised that this selfish, mindless destruction must be prevented by law. It is murder at the grandest scale. We at A Plastic Planet support this call for a new global law to prevent Ecocide. Our children will judge the actions we take today most harshly.”

“I am convinced that making Ecocide a Crime against Peace will make Heads of State and those who run corporations think very carefully about authorising activities which might lead to major environmental damage.”

“Treaties without enforcement mechanisms have not proven successful. With an increasing ecological crisis, we must change the global rules. A strong international ecocide legislation has never been more needed.”

“I urge serious global support for the work of the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, organised by the Stop Ecocide Foundation. Their ‘Commentary and Core Text’ of a definition of ‘ecocide’ as an international crime deserve humanity’s urgent attention.”

„Die natürlichen Ökosysteme der Erde sind der einzigartige Schatz dieses Planeten und die Lebensgrundlage von uns allen. Ihre großräumige schwere Schädigung oder Zerstörung sollte deshalb als Verbrechen angeklagt werden können.“

"Jeg støtter Stop Ecocide fordi klimaforandringer er det ultimative ecocide. Klimaforandringer og natur hænger uløseligt sammen: Uden en levedygtig natur, intet stabilt klima. Og uden et stabilt klima, ingen levedygtig natur."

Chairwoman, The Danish Climate Movement

"Climate change is the ultimate ecocide. Without functioning ecosystems the climate will not be stable, and without a stable climate the ecosystems will not function."

“Globally women are on the frontlines of defending the land from exploitation and are leading climate movements to protect biodiversity from the violence of extractivism. To ensure the future of our planet an ecocide law needs to be passed urgently in order to protect the land and the women who defend it.”

‘It is my earnest hope that…the ICC is equipped with the tools to end the culture of impunity enjoyed by the environmental offenders and the perpetrators of what we can now define as “Ecocide”.’

"There is a real case to be made for recognising ecocide in the International Criminal Court right along with genocide. Our existence is on the line."

“Indigenous peoples are not obstacles to development, but its true allies – ancient guardians of climate balance, defenders of biodiversity and life in all its forms. Protecting the rainforest is protecting life, peace, and the future of us all. Making ecocide an international crime would help protect this vital ecosystem.”

"Stopping Ecocide through international criminal law is essential for the survival of our cultures and economies and decisive in order to safeguard global ecosystems with their species variety, as the collective life insurance of humanity."

"The felling of a centuries-old tree in the Amazon breaks a vital network that sustains thousands of species. Protecting them is urgent. Supporting ecocide law is recognising that destroying these ancient ecosystems is a crime against life itself.”

"Ecocide Law can pave the way for fair competition and a truly thriving and sustainable economy."

"Personal harmony is the potent droplet with a rippling effect on the ocean of planetary harmony. I believe that an ecocide law will foster harmonious coexistence among humans, animals, plants and the Earth system.”

“The ideal of limitless growth is leading to limitless violations of the rights of the Earth and of the rights of nature. This is ecocide.”

“The catastrophic degradation of environment, destruction, damage or loss of ecosystems is happening on a mass scale everyday as more and more carbon emissions are emitted by the ever increasing industrial output in our world. The best way to overcome it is to adopt Polly Higgins proposed Law of Ecocide for the safety of future generations.”

„Ökozid als Verbrechen anzuerkennen ist ein wichtiger Schritt, um als Menschheit eine neue Richtung einzuschlagen, unseren Krieg gegen unsere eigene Lebensgrundlage zu beenden und uns zu erinnern, dass Kooperation jene Fähigkeit ist, die uns als Spezies so erfolgreich gemacht hat.“

"The number of human victims due to environmental destruction and the advancing climate crisis is increasing more and more. That is why it is only logical to hold those responsible for ecocide liable in the same way as for war crimes."

“The World Peace Prayer Society welcomes the Law of Ecocide to be recognised as a crime against peace.”

"Yo también me uno a quienes protegen la Tierra y apoyo la campaña Stop Ecocidio. Gracias a aquellas personas que con vuestro trabajo la estáis sacando adelante. Únete a Stop Ecocidio España y cambiemos la ley".

“The inclusion of ecocide as a crime in the Rome Statute would mean that the International Criminal Court would have the power to try these crimes just as it can today condemn a crime of genocide or a crime against humanity.....Agreeing on ecocide as a crime could contribute to a change of mentality and to increased environmental protection."

"Once we have the International Crime of Ecocide, it will seem the most natural thing in the world, and we will wonder why humanity didn't do it sooner"