Similarities between green criminology and green science: Toward a typology of green criminology

Abstract

Green criminology can be described as the study of environmental harm, crime, victimization, law, regulation, and justice. In this essay, we note that the development of green criminology has been slowed by the divergent, multifaceted, issue-driven approach to the field. We propose a green criminological typology that draws upon divisions established in the natural sciences literatures in the fields of ecotoxicology, environmental toxicology, and green chemistry. Specifically, we demonstrate how the green sciences can be divided into eco-approaches, enviro-approaches, and policy-oriented approaches. We apply this framework in the green sciences to green criminology while recognizing the need for a fourth area that that addresses economic, social, political, and philosophical theories. We review the development and division of the green sciences to show that green criminology can be divided into “enviro-green” criminology and “eco-green” criminology. We encourage green criminologists to further develop this green typology to advance the field.