Environmental Crime

     In one of my classes we have been discussing environmental crime. I felt that this issue ties in with this class because environmental crime is hugely influenced by ethics. When considering white-collar crime, one rarely considers that it could be associated with environmental crime.  Edwin Sutherland defined white-collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.”  Generally, the widespread perception of white-collar crime is that it is committed in the corporate world, therefore, it only affects the corporate world; many fail to think of the different types of white-collar crimes committed or the secondary consequences these felonies cause. 
     In the instances of environmental white-collar crime, these crimes can do more than affect the monetary state of people in the workforce. Not only do these crimes continuously generate billions of dollars towards the profits of unlawful businesses and enterprises, but they are also harmful to the environment and as a result, harmful to the people living in it - triggering deficient health conditions or even death.
    The foundational attribute of environmental white-collar crimes is that they are committed for financial gain by well-informed and educated parties who try to find ways around the law.  It is essential that the general public becomes aware of the ramifications of the crimes committed by environmental white-collar offenders. The consequences of environmental white-collar crime are not oblique by any means; everyone is directly affected by the actions of these fraudulent corporations and businesses.
      I think that when considering these crimes, we need to take on a much less ignorant stance.  These crimes are committed by companies and organizations that we assist with funding. Without us, they have nowhere to stand.  It is our responsibility to watch and monitor what these companies are doing.