‘Writing for impact’
Toetsing van:
Essays
HBR-OM18-IM
Aantal woorden (incl. titel)
Deelopdracht 1:451
Deelopdracht 2:393
Deelopdracht 3:452
Deelopdracht 4:520
Deelopdracht 5:411
Hogeschool Leiden Opleiding HBO-Rechten
Cherelle Peneux – s1107328 C. Anderson
24 april 2020
Reguliere kans
Klas RE2C Collegejaar 2018/2019, blok 1
Page 1 of
15-11-19 Writing for Impact
, Assignment (portfolio assignment #1)
Advocating for an injured Earth
Polly Higgins was a former Scottish lawyer who started her law career in London (she was
called to the bar in 1988). She died at the age of 50. (J. Watts, 2019.) At first she started as a
barrister who specialized herself in corporate and employment law, and from there she rolled
into civil law. It was after this particular switch that she started asking questions as: what can
we do, to make it a legal duty to care for the earth, human and environment. Not long after,
she terminated her successful career in order to pursue which laws she could utilize in order
to protect her most important client: Mother Earth
Relying on her professional expertise that she had acquired in the years as a lawyer, she
lobbied the United Nation Law commission to recognize Ecocide as an international crime.
The former term refers to the damage that is or has been bestowed upon the eco system.
The word Ecocide has been around for over 50 years, however Polly Higgins pursued to
make it into a legal definition. In the last decade the environment and ecosystem has
become of more significant importance. Ecocide is distinguished in two different types. On
one hand is the corporate ecocide: damage that is human made. Furthermore there is
naturally occurring ecocide: damage that occurs due to natural forces. By turning it into a
legal matter, it would become easier to criminalize actions that are responsible for damage to
the environment. In my opinion Polly Higgins paved the way for regulations and law
regarding the protection of the Earth and his ecosystem. (https://pollyhiggins.com/)
As mentioned before the term was already known, but it was not regarded as a serious
matter. However, since she successfully made it into a legal matter, people and corporation
could be hold responsible. Nowadays, most corporations and businesses do not only hold
profit as their highest purpose, but social responsibility has become equally important. That
means that humans, nature and animal are taken in consideration in every decision that is
been made.
Some people may argue about its importance. What we have to keep in mind is that this laws
are not only implemented to protect the earth and people now, but also for the future
generations to come. Ask yourself the question: where would we be in 20, 30 or even 50
years if we do not protect the Earth and its resources? What would be the living environment
be for the future population of this planet. Polly Higgins made us aware that Ecocide is a very
real and tangible problem, and that we as people and corporation should be held responsible
for our actions.
Page 2 of
15-11-19 Writing for Impact
Toetsing van:
Essays
HBR-OM18-IM
Aantal woorden (incl. titel)
Deelopdracht 1:451
Deelopdracht 2:393
Deelopdracht 3:452
Deelopdracht 4:520
Deelopdracht 5:411
Hogeschool Leiden Opleiding HBO-Rechten
Cherelle Peneux – s1107328 C. Anderson
24 april 2020
Reguliere kans
Klas RE2C Collegejaar 2018/2019, blok 1
Page 1 of
15-11-19 Writing for Impact
, Assignment (portfolio assignment #1)
Advocating for an injured Earth
Polly Higgins was a former Scottish lawyer who started her law career in London (she was
called to the bar in 1988). She died at the age of 50. (J. Watts, 2019.) At first she started as a
barrister who specialized herself in corporate and employment law, and from there she rolled
into civil law. It was after this particular switch that she started asking questions as: what can
we do, to make it a legal duty to care for the earth, human and environment. Not long after,
she terminated her successful career in order to pursue which laws she could utilize in order
to protect her most important client: Mother Earth
Relying on her professional expertise that she had acquired in the years as a lawyer, she
lobbied the United Nation Law commission to recognize Ecocide as an international crime.
The former term refers to the damage that is or has been bestowed upon the eco system.
The word Ecocide has been around for over 50 years, however Polly Higgins pursued to
make it into a legal definition. In the last decade the environment and ecosystem has
become of more significant importance. Ecocide is distinguished in two different types. On
one hand is the corporate ecocide: damage that is human made. Furthermore there is
naturally occurring ecocide: damage that occurs due to natural forces. By turning it into a
legal matter, it would become easier to criminalize actions that are responsible for damage to
the environment. In my opinion Polly Higgins paved the way for regulations and law
regarding the protection of the Earth and his ecosystem. (https://pollyhiggins.com/)
As mentioned before the term was already known, but it was not regarded as a serious
matter. However, since she successfully made it into a legal matter, people and corporation
could be hold responsible. Nowadays, most corporations and businesses do not only hold
profit as their highest purpose, but social responsibility has become equally important. That
means that humans, nature and animal are taken in consideration in every decision that is
been made.
Some people may argue about its importance. What we have to keep in mind is that this laws
are not only implemented to protect the earth and people now, but also for the future
generations to come. Ask yourself the question: where would we be in 20, 30 or even 50
years if we do not protect the Earth and its resources? What would be the living environment
be for the future population of this planet. Polly Higgins made us aware that Ecocide is a very
real and tangible problem, and that we as people and corporation should be held responsible
for our actions.
Page 2 of
15-11-19 Writing for Impact
