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Ecoterrorism
Definitions of ecoterrorism
FBI’s “Threat of Eco-Terrorism”
· Develops comprehensive background of United States ecoterrorism as well as providing the
following definition: “The FBI defines eco-terrorism as the use or threatened use of violence of a
criminal nature against innocent victims or property by an environmentally-oriented, subnational group for
environmental-political reasons, or aimed at an audience beyond the target, often of a symbolic nature.”
Harvard’s “What is Called Ecoterrorism”
· Delves into the stigmatization and development of the term ecoterrorism
ACJS’s “Environmental Extremists and the Eco-Terrorism Movement”
General information & history
· Comprehensive explanation of the history of ecoterrorism and individual groups.
· Subjective history of ecoterrorism from its origins into today
Historical Trends of Bioterrorism
Historical Perspective of Agro-terrorism
· Provides historical background of term, including criticism of the term. Then provides a history,
structural breakdown, and critical look at the organization ELF
Source list on motive behind arson and terrorist acts
Focal organizations
Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC)
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS)
Incidents
Comprehensive list of events 1984-2002
· “drawn from ALF/ELF communiqués, media reports, law enforcement officials and publications of the movement”
List of animal rights and eco-activist acts since 1983
1982 Rocket attack Superphénix
· Attack made on nuclear power site Superphenix by Swiss Green Party leader Chaim Nissim
US Department of Homeland Security
· Report using the case study of “Operation Backfire”
Indo-American Approach to Law and Policy
The Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act (AETA)
Notable individuals
Nissim, Chaïm
Rodgers, William C.
Andrews, Candice Gaukel. 2016. “Eco-Avengers: Just Monkeywrenching or Ecoterrorism?”
Dickson, Russell W.2011. “U.S. Gov. Thinks Eco-terrorism is as bad as Islamic Terrorisim.”
Dunlap, Riley E. Deep Ecology and Radical Environmentalism.
Glick, Daniel. Powder Burn: Arson, Money, and Mystery on Vail Mountain
Hirsch-Hoefler, Sivan and Cas Mudde. Ecoterrorism: threat or political ploy? December 19, 2014
Komp, Catherine. Vilified as 'Terrorist', Eco-activists Face New Offensive by Business.
Leader, Stefan H and Peter Probst. The Earth Liberation Front and Environmental Terrorism
Monbiot, George. 2011. “Eco-terrorism: the non-existent threat we spend millions policing.”
Better Active Than Radioactive!: Anti-nuclear Protest in 1970s France and West Germany
Orlans, F. Barbara, In the Name of Science: Issues in Responsible Animal Experimentation.
· President of International Environmental Security responds to recent attacks
Films
Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist (2010)
If a Tree Falls: A Story of Earth Liberation Front (2011)
Anke Larsen-Yskamp of Brandeis University developed this page in 2018.
· The term “ecoterrorism” does not always accurately portray the acts done by purported “eco-terrorists”
and is rather controversial in its usage. Some argue that because these acts protest environmental
injustice, they are justified, while others argue that these actions are inexcusable and malicious.
The key readings provide some insight into both sides of this debate.
Contents of this page:
· Definitions of ecoterrorism
· General information & history
· Focal organizations
· Incidents
· Responses
· Notable individuals
· Select readings
· Films