Hi all,
Yes, I have some experience with Interpol's Environmental Crime
Division (wildlife issues). The Division is quite active in terms of
addressing endangered species trade (as the email indicated), and
cooperates with the CITES Secretariat in this regard. For
example, there have been recent calls for countries to make better use
of the Ecomessage system (see
http://www.cites.org/eng/notif/2008/E068.pdf and
http://www.interpol.int/Public/EnvironmentalCrime/Pollution/EcoMessage/default.asp),
which is a great initiative.
Note: the proper website address for the Environmental Crime Division
is http://www.interpol.int/Public/EnvironmentalCrime/Default.asp.
Regards,
Wendy Jackson
CITES Management Authority
New Zealand
On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 1:25 PM, Wallace, Richard
<rwall...@ursinus.edu <mailto:rwall...@ursinus.edu>> wrote:
Hello GEP-ED folks,
Interesting stuff here. I had no idea that INTERPOL had an
environmental crime division. Does anyone on the list have
environmental INTERPOL experience?
Cheers,
Rich
*From:* HIGGINS David [mailto:d.higg...@interpol.int
<mailto:d.higg...@interpol.int>]
*Sent:* Thursday, January 22, 2009 8:49 AM
*Subject:* INTERPOL's Environmental Crime Programme needs your help!
*/It's our planet. It's our problem./*
*/Environmental Crime/*
*/We need your urgent support in the global fight /*
* *
*/Why on earth?/*
Environmental crime is big business. In fact, it's currently one
of the most profitable forms of criminal activity taking place
throughout the world today with tens of billions of dollars being
made every year. And it's growing. From the illegal trade in
wildlife and the illicit transport of hazardous wastes, to illegal
fishing and the trade in stolen timber, environmental crime is a
serious international problem that can both directly or indirectly
affect a nation's economy, security or even existence.
Unfortunately, such crimes are rather low on the priority list of
many governments who turn a blind eye to what's going on right
under their noses. By failing to tackle environmental crimes, the
reality is that their actions are felt right across the globe.
Take illegal logging for example. Not only does it contribute to
deforestation but it can cause increased flooding and is known to
be a major contributor to climate change. Or take the smuggling of
ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs which are speeding up the
thinning of the ozone layer in the earth's upper atmosphere, in
turn impacting on human health with 3 million new cases of skin
cancer recorded every year. Unfortunately, as the attention of
enforcement agencies is sidetracked by long-established
enforcement efforts against terrorism or the trade in drugs,
weapons and humans, environmental crime continues to boom.
* *
*/Who on earth?/*
This is where INTERPOL comes in.* *INTERPOL is the world's largest
international police organization with 187 member countries. Our
primary objective is helping officers from different law
enforcement agencies, countries, languages and cultures cooperate
with one another and work together to combat crime. INTERPOL's
work covers many specialized areas including terrorism, organized
crime, drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and trafficking in
human beings.
And now INTERPOL is hoping to step up its efforts in the battle
against worldwide environmental crime by assigning dedicated
Officers to work together in fighting the exploitation of the
world's environment, biodiversity and natural resources in
contravention of national and international laws.
* *
*/What on earth?/*
So what is INTERPOL doing to help conserve the world's
environment, biodiversity and natural resources and prevent
criminal gangs from plundering our planet for a quick profit?
INTERPOL is currently participating and assisting in the fight
against environmental crime through its dedicated Environmental
Crime Programme.
The programme strives to identify the various problems that arise
in connection with environmental crime and support the
international exchange of skills and information throughout
INTERPOL's 187 member countries.
In the past, Wildlife and Pollution Officers have worked in
isolation to one another which tended to hamper communication and
coordination efforts. The introduction of the Environmental Crime
Programme has changed all that and it is our vision to appoint new
members to specific environmental crime threat teams, these
officers will be given all the support and expertise they need to
assist in the prevention, detection and apprehension of those
criminals who wish to flout environmental laws and gain from the
destruction and exploitation of our planet's fragile biodiversity
and resources.
If you want evidence that our programme is working, take a look below:
* Operation Baba (Africa's largest-ever international
operation against wildlife crime) led to the arrest of
almost 60 people and the seizure of one ton of illegal
elephant ivory. The arrests and seizures were part of a
five-country law enforcement operation co-ordinated by INTERPOL
* Recent development of operational manuals on wildlife
controlled delivers and illegal oil discharges from vessels.
* INTERPOL's 6^th International Conference on Environmental
Crime attended by over 60 member countries and in excess of
150 delegates.
*/How on earth?/*
It's our planet. It's our problem. And if INTERPOL is to continue
to identify and respond to emerging environmental crime trends,
*we need your urgent support.* With the help of funding we can
continue to expand our services, train new officers on the ground,
develop and enhance skills in the field of environmental law
enforcement and continue to tackle the root causes of
environmental crime. You'll be joining a massive and dedicated
worldwide network as well as playing your part in creating a
robust and sustainable programme that effectively curbs the threat
posed by organised criminal groups and prevents the further
disappearance and destruction of habitats worldwide before it is
too late.
To find out how you can help to curb the emerging threat posed by
environmental crime please contact me:
David Higgins, Programme Manager Environmental Crime, INTERPOL
General Secretariat, Lyon, France
Alternatively you can email me at: d.higg...@interpol.int
<mailto:d.higg...@interpol.int>
or for more information visit
www.interpol.int/Public/EnvironmentCrime/Edfault.asp
<http://www.interpol.int/Public/EnvironmentCrime/Edfault.asp>
Please forward this email onto other interested parties or
stakeholders, I look forward to hearing from you or anyone
interested in our cause.
* *
*Michael B. Mascia, Ph.D.*
Senior Social Scientist &
President, SCB Social Science Working Group
Conservation Science Program
World Wildlife Fund
1250 24th Street NW
Washington, DC 20037 USA
(202) 495-4532 /note new phone number/
michael.mas...@wwfus.org <mailto:michael.mas...@wwfus.org>
