The Crime of Ecocide in the Context of the Concept of Ecological Sin – Selected Aspects

Monika Żuchowska-Grzywacz

doi:10.32084/tkp.9208

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2025)

Articles

The Crime of Ecocide in the Context of the Concept of Ecological Sin – Selected Aspects

Monika Żuchowska-Grzywacz^▸^▾

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32084/tkp.9208 [Google Scholar]
Published: 2025-07-31

Abstract

This article examines the concept of the crime of ecocide in the context of environmental sin, with a particular focus on the legal aspects. The crime of ecocide, understood as the indiscriminate and prolonged destruction of the natural environment, is receiving increasing attention in the international debate on its inclusion in the catalogue of the most serious crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. In this context, an analysis of the concept of ecological sin, derived from Catholic social teaching, which emphasises man’s moral responsibility for the destruction of the environment, is carried out. The aim of the article is to explore and compare two key concepts: ecocide as an international crime and ecological sin as an ethical-religious category, in the context of contemporary environmental challenges. The article seeks to show how these two categories can complement each other, pointing to the need to strengthen moral and legal responsibility for environmental destruction. Due to the overview nature of this paper, it follows a methodology based on a descriptive approach and critical analysis. Within this approach, particular emphasis will be placed on the analysis of papal encyclicals, doctrinal texts and legal provisions related to the topic of ecocide and ecological sin. In addition, the study will take into account an indepth analysis of scientific literature, including monographs, articles published in reputable journals and reports of international organisations. Such a multifaceted review of the material will provide a broad theoretical and legal context to critically examine current legal and ethical regulations on environmental protection and crimes against nature. The analysis will also relate to the debate on ecotheology and the role of ethics in shaping environmental legislation at the international level.

References

Babiński, Jarosław. 2012, “’Kwestia ekologiczna’ w nauczaniu Jana Pawła II” Studia Gdańskie 30:249-64. [Google Scholar]
Bar, Wiesław. 2020. “Ekobójstwo i grzech ekologiczny: dwa terminy – dwa porządki – wspólna sprawa.” Studia Prawnicze KUL 2:33–57. [Google Scholar]
Falk, Richard A. 1973. “Environmental Warfare and Ecocide – Facts, Appraisal and Proposals.” Bulletin of Peace Proposals 4, no. 1:80-96. [Google Scholar]
Łukomski, Julisław. 1997. “Elementy etyki środowiskowej w ujęciu Jana Pawła II.” Roczniki Filozoficzne 3(45): 257-65. [Google Scholar]
Nowak, Ewa. 2023. “Ekobójstwo. Ku nowej kategorii międzynarodowego prawa karnego.” Przegląd Sejmowy 4(177):63-90. [Google Scholar]
Zbierska, Janina. 2007. “Geneza idei i edukacja na rzecz zrównoważonego rozwoju.” Fragmenta Agronomica 4(96):275-81. [Google Scholar]
Zierler, David. 2011. The Intervention of Ecocide: Agent Orange, Vietnam, and the Scientists Who Changed the Way We Think about the Environment. The University of Georgia Press. [Google Scholar]

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Keywords

ecocide
ecological sin
environmental degradation
Catholic social teaching
protection of ecosystems

How to Cite

Żuchowska-Grzywacz, M. (2025). The Crime of Ecocide in the Context of the Concept of Ecological Sin – Selected Aspects. Teka Komisji Prawniczej PAN Oddział W Lublinie, 18(1), 573–584. https://doi.org/10.32084/tkp.9208

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[1] Babiński, Jarosław. 2012, “’Kwestia ekologiczna’ w nauczaniu Jana Pawła II” Studia Gdańskie 30:249-64. [Google Scholar]

[2] Bar, Wiesław. 2020. “Ekobójstwo i grzech ekologiczny: dwa terminy – dwa porządki – wspólna sprawa.” Studia Prawnicze KUL 2:33–57. [Google Scholar]

[3] Falk, Richard A. 1973. “Environmental Warfare and Ecocide – Facts, Appraisal and Proposals.” Bulletin of Peace Proposals 4, no. 1:80-96. [Google Scholar]

[4] Łukomski, Julisław. 1997. “Elementy etyki środowiskowej w ujęciu Jana Pawła II.” Roczniki Filozoficzne 3(45): 257-65. [Google Scholar]

[5] Nowak, Ewa. 2023. “Ekobójstwo. Ku nowej kategorii międzynarodowego prawa karnego.” Przegląd Sejmowy 4(177):63-90. [Google Scholar]

[6] Zbierska, Janina. 2007. “Geneza idei i edukacja na rzecz zrównoważonego rozwoju.” Fragmenta Agronomica 4(96):275-81. [Google Scholar]

[7] Zierler, David. 2011. The Intervention of Ecocide: Agent Orange, Vietnam, and the Scientists Who Changed the Way We Think about the Environment. The University of Georgia Press. [Google Scholar]