A motion to end ecocide (the extensive destruction of ecosystems) has been passed unanimously at the 2013 Green Party Annual Convention in Galway. The motion was presented by Cathy Fitzgerald, Carlow/Kilkenny Green Party and Forestry policy spokesperson.

Commenting on the decision to pass the motion, Cathy Fitzgerald said: "I am delighted with the unanimous support from our Party to call for an end to Ecocide. There is growing international legal realisation that current environmental laws and regulations 'permits' environmental destruction rather than preventing it. The Law of Ecocide seeks to address environmental degradation from a new perspective and has significant implications to assign legal responsibility to heads of state, corporations and others that cause long-term environmental destruction. This would apply to environmental problems like fracking pollution of ground water, land and air pollution, etc.

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"Presented to the United Nations in 2010, Ecocide is increasingly recognised as a legal crime; a crime against humanity, against nature, future generations and fundamentally it is a crime against peace.

"There is a new European Citizens' Initiative to End Ecocide in Europe this year. If one million signatures are collected, a public hearing must be held in the European Parliament. With three MEPs leading the way, I encourage all to join the campaign against ecocide and sign the petition."

(CD/IT)