Stop Ecocide
An example of how strong, enforced laws can protect the environment, including humans.
When I was in England in 2019 at Emerson College, I heard about an organization that had been formed by Scottish lawyer Polly Higgins. See her excellent Ted Talk in which she explains her inspiration to campaign for international laws that protect people and planet over profit. Polly Higgins’ friend was speaking to a group at Emerson telling us how Polly Higgins had been inspired to start an organization called Stop Ecocide. As soon as I heard about this initiative, I thought: “This is an inspiring example of applied Threefolding. In Threefolding, laws that promote equality are in balance with economic and cultural activity.” Polly Higgins died of cancer in April, 2019, but her initiative grows.
This came in my inbox today:
It's been 5 years since the incredible Polly Higgins passed away.
This past weekend was dedicated to celebrating an incredible woman. On Friday evening, Stroud Brewery launched their 'Earth Protector Ale' in Polly’s honour. On Sunday, the anniversary of her passing, a small and beautiful ceremony was held in Slad, near Stroud, where she lived. (Stroud is three car hours west of London)
Polly’s husband Ian with her newly unveiled picture on the wall of the Woolpack Pub, Slad.
Polly spent the last decade of her life resurrecting the concept of ECOCIDE and igniting the conversation to criminalise the worst harms to nature - both publicly and at the level of the International Criminal Court. Polly’s pioneering work established the roots that have nourished and supported this rapidly growing global movement.
Polly was driven, determined and highly focused; she was also charismatic, charming and at times disarmingly mischievous.
She had certainly mastered her brief of persuading international lawyers, diplomats, and politicians of the importance of a new international crime of ecocide as a means of securing global protection against the most severe environmental harms; but she also had a wonderful sense of fun, and always remained committed to and grounded in the community she fostered in Stroud.
Polly would be delighted to see not only the remarkable growth of the movement she founded - but also to be celebrated in the place that she lived and loved by the people who loved her.
An enormous thank you(!) to all those who have taken advantage of this fleeting match-funding opportunity and donated to Stop Ecocide International in recent days. Your donations have already been doubled and will make twice the impact on our work leading the global movement to criminalise ecocide. We cannot thank you enough.
If you're in a position to do so, donating before midday this Thursday 25th April will literally double the impact of your support. We know these are challenging times and if you are not in a position to contribute financially, sharing this email and telling your friends, family and networks about our work would be hugely appreciated.
We know how loyal and committed our supporter base is and with your backing, we’re seeing astounding progress.
However you choose to support us, thank you.
Stop Ecocide International Ltd, Valley View, The Ridge, Bussage, Stroud, GL6 8HD, UK., Registered company number: 10830859.