AN INTERDISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK TO EXPLAIN ECOLOGICAL CRIME : A CASE STUDY OF THE BP DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL

Abstract: Our drive to achieve economic development and growth is driving our planet to an unprecedented level of ecological destruction. The structural forces of capitalism together with a culture of consumerism is pushing the environment to its limits causing climate change, pollution and threatening the wellbeing of humanity and the ecosystem. This thesis seeks to reach a better understanding of harms and crimes committed against the eco-system. This will be achieved by applying a theoretical framework that incorporates criminology theories and theories from other disciplines on the famous case of BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The paper shows that it is necessary to explore theories outside of traditional criminology to demonstrate how the root cause of environmental crime is inherently linked to capitalism.