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]
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 6th 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
