Ecocide – a multifaceted threat to the environment
Samanta Kowalska
Akademia Kaliska im. Prezydenta Stanisława Wojciechowskiego w Kaliszuhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8803-3901
Abstract
Ecocide causes the destruction of ecosystems and the devastation of flora and fauna habitats. According to the holistic outlook, all elements of the ecosystem are necessary and together contribute to the functioning of nature in a harmonious and organized manner. Blind acceptance of the idea that man
is to subdue nature led to a situation in which rationality and moral principles began to be superseded by striving for power, territory and natural resources. The expansion of agriculture, economy, and industry has obscured ecological values, emphasizing economics and militarism. The aim of the article is to discuss the evolution of legal norms and the current understanding of ecocide on the international forum. In consideration, the transformations in the para-
digm of the analyzed phenomenon will be shown, from which it follows that ecocide is subject to dynamic changes, posing a threat to the functioning of man and nature in a cumulative way. The article elaborates on the claim that ecocide is a crime against nature and the environment of human life. Due to
the fragility of ecosystems, much of the environmental damage may be irreversible. Nevertheless, the normalization of ecocide has not been carried out in international law so far. The lack of correlated regulations and strategies hinders preventive and protective endeavours. During the analysis, norms are
discussed, which may prove to be supportive in building a new paradigm of nature protection aimed towards the ecological public order. With the aim of implementing protective measures in a future-oriented manner, the substantive and procedural layer needs a binder in the form of an axiology resulting
from the natural order. The reformulation of the existing reference point in the law and mechanisms of environmental protection is a civilizational necessity
Keywords:
environmental law, biodiversity, ecocide, environmental protection, international law, ecological valuesReferences
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Akademia Kaliska im. Prezydenta Stanisława Wojciechowskiego w Kaliszu
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8803-3901
