The Meaning of Green

TLDR

Previous discussions of green criminology have not defined the meaning of the term “green”. Here we investigate alternative definitions of this term, focusing attention on two contrasting definitions. We examine two contrasting definitions of “green”: a corporate‑aligned definition that emerged from corporate redefinitions of green environmentalism, illustrated by examples of resulting green criminology, and an environmental justice definition that foregrounds social movements’ commitment to race, class, and gender issues.

Abstract

Previous discussions of green criminology have not defined the meaning of the term `green'. Here we investigate alternative definitions of this term, focusing attention on two contrasting definitions. One definition is aligned with corporate interests and emerged through corporate redefinitions of green environmentalism; we provide examples of the `green' criminology that resulted. We then offer a contrasting environmental justice definition. This alternative concept highlights common elements in social movements concerned with environmental justice while emphasizing these movements' commitment to simultaneously incorporating race, class and gender-oriented issues into green criminology.