THE POWER OF RECOGNISING "ECOCIDE"

An IN-PERSON panel event & pre-dinner drinks at the Nordic House, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Healthy ecosystems and flourishing biodiversity are fundamental to the harmonious balance of life on Earth, as well as to sustainable human civilisation. They are also fundamental to regulating climate.

Existing environmental protections are often not adhered to or are poorly monitored and enforced in peacetime, while conflict situations lead to some of the worst environmental harms which are often neglected in the face of other wartime atrocities.

Many states, as well as NGOs, lawyers, academics, scientists, grassroots movements and a growing number of networks within the corporate and finance sectors are speaking out in support of stronger legal frameworks and accountability.

In particular, the legal recognition of “ecocide” (severe and either widespread or long-term harm to ecosystems) as a crime at the international level could go a long way to shifting attitudes and guiding behaviour with regard to threats of severe pollution to the Earth’s most vital ecosystems and endangered/keystone species.

This event will explore recent rapid developments in the progress toward ecocide legislation at national, regional and international levels and the benefits for a just and resilient transition to a sustainable future for all.

Speakers:

- Kristin Vala Ragnarsdottir, Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) Ambassador, Club of Rome member, Distinguished Fellow Schumacher Institute, Professor of Sustainability Science, University of Iceland, Stöðvum Vistmorð.

- Jojo Mehta, Chair, Stop Ecocide Foundation.

- Andrés Ingi Jónsson, Member of Icelandic Parliament (Pirate Party).

- Magnús Hallur Jónsson, Stöðvum Vistmorð

- Tova Lindqvist, Co-lead Youth 4 Ecocide Law, Member of the Board, End Ecocide Sweden, Youth adviser/ leading a Nordic and Baltic Youth Council on Climate and Environment.

- Yevheniia Kravchuk, Member of Ukraine Parliament and Ukraine Council of Europe delegation.

- Hanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir, Member of Icelandic Parliament, Member of Nordic Council.

Moderated by:

- Pella Thiel, Author & Founder, End Ecocide Sweden.

Co-hosted by: Stöðvum vistmorð, Stop Ecocide Foundation, End Ecocide Sweden, Nordic House.

In association with partners:

Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Youth For Ecocide Law, Wellbeing Economy Alliance, Landvernd (Icelandic Environmental Association), Sustainability Institute of the University of Iceland, Schumacher Institute, Biodice, Cradlenet, Club of Rome, Nordic Youth Biodiversity Network, Young Environmentalists of Iceland, Náttúruverndarsamband Íslands (Iceland Nature Conservation Association), Global Choices, Arctic Angels.

Organized by: Stop Ecocide International, Stöðvum vistmorð.