07 October 2011

... the Larbert Laundry will Dye for you! The change, from “Suicide”, in the original advertisement is quite appropriate. This article is about international megabusinesses on trial for dyeing a swathe of the Gulf of Mexico with a nasty, smelly, sticky, viscous black substance – crude oil. The crime they are accused of is Ecocide. Are they guilty or not guilty, as pure as the unsullied snow or as impure as its begrimed, slushy aftermath?

Ecocide
This word has been around since the nineteen sixties. It means the killing, or murder, of the environment (on the same basis that struthiocide is the killing of ostriches). Specifically ecocide is used to refer to any large-scale destruction of the natural environment or over-consumption of critical non-renewable resources. An example would be the damage caused by defoliants used during the Vietnam War, or the effects of a major nuclear power station accident. In 2010 it was proposed to the United Nations that ecocide be recognised as an international Crime against Peace alongside Genocide, Crimes of Humanity, War Crimes and Crimes of Aggression, triable at the International Criminal Court. The definition proposed is: Ecocide – the extensive destruction, damage to or loss of ecosystem(s) of a given territory, whether by human agency or by other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of that territory has been severely diminished. Other recent “eco-“ coinages are ecotage – sabotage committed by environmentalists; and ecophagy – the eating, or consuming of an ecosystem (on the same basis that struthiophagy is the eating of ostriches, preferably pre-plucked). Ecophagy does not refer to the omnivorous propensities of goats, pigs or seagulls but to a hypothetical scenario involving molecular nanotechnology gone awry.  

Ecocide – the Trial

The trial was held in Court Number one of the United Kingdom Supreme Court on 30 September, 2011. In the dock were the chief executives of companies alleged to be responsible for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Renowned legal eagles appeared for both sides, the executives and witnesses were grilled forensically, and the jury, after careful deliberation and weighing of the evidence, found the accused guilty of ecocide – of damaging the environment and causing the deaths of thousands of seabirds.  Unfortunately, it was a mock trial – the barristers were genuine, the chief executives were actors. But it was a pretence in a good cause – to highlight the case for statutory recognition of the crime of ecocide, by the British and other Governments as well as the United Nation. Although the proceedings were, probably inevitably, accompanied by more moments of levity than real court proceedings, the genuine and important issued involved were aired and publicised.

The best and most comprehensive newspaper account of the case I can find is in The Financial Times. The writer has obviously enjoyed himself writing it (but I suppose I am the last person who should complain about that!). It is a slick piece of writing. Here’s just a short paragraph and the end of the article in the FT – I will rely on you, dear Sustainable Scotland reader, to read the rest: (If the mean and nasty old FT doesn't allow you to access this article, please try again - it should work this time - and if you're really unlucky try Googling some apropriate words!)

“After the “chief executives” stressed how their companies had cleaned up the mess they created, Michael  Mansfield QC quipped: “It’s like saying ‘we bombed Warsaw, but they’ve recovered’!”

Responding to accusations about his bird-killing activities, the actor replied: “You can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.”
Mr Mansfield, filled with righteous indignation, duly replied: “And I suppose it’s unfortunate for the eggs!”
The audience, consisting largely of environmental activists, cheered the defenestration of the chief executives when the jurors returned with their guilty verdicts. This was all theatre. But there were many in the Supreme Court who want this scene to become reality.

Note: I think the FT journalist may have been enjoying himself too much, Defenestration means the act of throwing someone out of, or through, a window. However much one stretches the definition the above, I think, is a context too far. (Oh what an pernicketous old pedant I am becoming!)

The Hamilton Group
The trial was staged by The Hamilton Group, a not-for-profit organisation encouraging businesses, organisations and communities to bring responsibility for the Earth to the forefront of their decision-making. More information about the Group, its aims and activities, and of course about the Ecocide Trial, can be gleaned from their website.

Ecocide – the song / Earth Crisis – the band

Earth Crisis is an American metalcore (no, I don’t know either!) band, known for supporting animal rights, promoting a straight edge (a what?) and vegan lifestyle, and addressing further social and political issues. They released their seventh studio album Neutralize the Threat in 2011. But now I do know! Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. Straight edge (not to be confused with the tool known as a straightedge – from the straightness of its edge) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. Read Wikipedia for the fascinating history of this anti-hedonistic musical subculture.  

Ecocide is a song by Earth Crisis (lyrics below). There is a superb YouTube video showing dramatic images of the Gulf spill and its consequences, along with other ecocides, set against a recording of Ecocide. Forget about any prejudices you might have about metal and punk and core, This is powerful multi-media stuff. If you’ve reached this point in the article you must click the YouTube link below. There is as yet no official video of the trial available, but a there is a short YouTube piece – if you want to access this, just Google ecocide trial wizardroman. 

Silenced in the roar of the flames.
After the screams of the dying, nothing remains.
Desecrated, slashed, burned to
the ground. In the frenzy of greed, cries of protest are drowned.
The Earth dies - Ecocide. The Earth's forests laid forever
to waste. Thoughts of the future trampled in their haste.
Corporations with their dollar sign focus ravage the Amazon like a
plague of locusts. Plumes of black smoke ascend into the sky.
A forest of beautiful creatures senselessly die. Smoking fields
of devastation left in mankind's wake.
With populations left to grow and greed,
they justify this rape.
The power of the dollar can't take precedence
over the inevitable detrimental consequence.
The time to react is long overdue from protest to
confrontation by me and by you.

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