Amazônia em chamas: tipificação do ecocídio como instrumento de promoção da justiça climática

Abstract

The aggravation of the global climate crisis stems unequivocally from human activities, particularly the unsustainable use of land. The impacts are naturally felt across all continents, but are especially severe for the most vulnerable populations. In Brazil, data has shown that agriculture and land-use change account for the majority share of national gross emissions. The Amazon region draws even more attention, as it presents persistent patterns of violence linked to environmental crimes, intertwining illegal gold mining, sexual violence, drug trafficking, and the misappropriation of public assets. At the same time, the agribusiness model is responsible for processes of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and soil contamination—yet another clear violation of environmental integrity. In light of this, the general objective of this study is to analyze whether the actions resulting in environmental damage in the Amazon region could be classified under a criminal offense—ecocide—if such a category were legally established, as a way to promote Climate Justice. To this end, a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory methodology was adopted, involving bibliographic, documentary, and legislative analysis, grounded in the framework of Climate Justice. It is concluded that, although it is possible to legally frame the environmental damage affecting ecosystems and local populations as criminal acts, their structural complexity demands integrated responses based on a transdisciplinary approach, going beyond mere criminalization.