ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FROM THE ASPECT OF CRIMINAL LAW

Abstract

According to the Criminal Law, the protection of the natural human environment implies specific incriminations, i.e., environmental crimes that are punishable to preserve and create a healthy environment for the human species in line with the economic and technical development. Environmental problems created by society’s progress (civilization) have political, economic, scientific, and legal, i.e., international legal dimensions. Today, a common topic is an ecological crisis caused by pollution and contamination of Earth, i.e., the disturbance of the balance and rhythm of the biosphere. Using the natural resources of our planet in a way that destroys it and prevents its regeneration requires special Criminal Law sanctions that will protect the natural environment and preclude our planet from becoming unsuitable for life. Therefore, we can increasingly use the term ecocide, i.e., utilizing natural resources without considering the necessity of developing a strategy for the use, harmonization, and preservation of a healthy human environment. This is a dualistic approach that links the protection of nature as an independent asset to protect the human quality of life as an individual and social issue. The paper will analyze the effectiveness of environmental protection from the Criminal Law aspect and point out the need for a more significant application of Administrative Law measures, especially the preventative ones, as a more effective tool for environmental protection.