When Crises Collide: Mapping the Intersections of Climate, Pollution, Crime, and Punishment

Abstract

Collisions between the climate crisis, environmental degradation, the criminal justice (CJ) system, and crime are increasing in frequency, profoundly affecting a growing number of CJ personnel and the communities they serve across the United States. Despite directly impacting thousands of CJ personnel—such as law enforcement and corrections professionals—little scholarly and official action has been taken to acknowledge or reckon with the risks of climate change and environmental degradation on public safety or the CJ system, nor how some CJ practices themselves facilitate those risks. This Article joins initial calls to action to scholars and practitioners to incorporate climate and environmental impacts into CJ research and practice. It explores the lines of influence between these ecological crises and the CJ system, examining how each impacts the other. It maps the intersections between the climate and pollution on crime; the impact of enforcement priorities and punishment upon climate policy; the health and safety of people employed by or incarcerated in the CJ system; and how CJ agencies can adapt to climate impacts. By mapping these collisions, we identify a wide array of opportunities to profoundly improve public safety, public health, the environment, and the well- being of CJ personnel and the communities they serve.

Keywords: climate crisis, criminal justice, public safety, climate policy, crime