What do you think?
Green Crime: Inside the Minds of the People Destroying the Planet, and How to Stop Them
Traffickers. Hit men. Outlaws. Thieves . . .
Our planet is a crime scene – but can we catch the killers?
Enter a world where people are murdered, ecosystems are destroyed, organised criminals terrorise communities and corporate gangsters operate outside the law. And, closely following their every move, are teams of secret agents, vigilantes and scientists who are fighting for our planet’s future.
Using insider sources and her expertise as a criminal psychologist, Julia Shaw takes us deep into some of the worst environmental crimes of our time. She reconstructs the minds of the perpetrators in cases like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Dieselgate emissions scandal and the Shuidong wildlife crime syndicate. From the Amazon forest to South African gold mines, she follows the impact of green crimes right to our doorsteps and meticulously profiles the work of the heroes bringing these criminals to justice.
Shaw how do the Earth’s killers think? What makes their crimes so deadly? And how can we stop them from stealing our future?
Green Crime is the most far-reaching murder mystery ever told.
Our planet is a crime scene – but can we catch the killers?
Enter a world where people are murdered, ecosystems are destroyed, organised criminals terrorise communities and corporate gangsters operate outside the law. And, closely following their every move, are teams of secret agents, vigilantes and scientists who are fighting for our planet’s future.
Using insider sources and her expertise as a criminal psychologist, Julia Shaw takes us deep into some of the worst environmental crimes of our time. She reconstructs the minds of the perpetrators in cases like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Dieselgate emissions scandal and the Shuidong wildlife crime syndicate. From the Amazon forest to South African gold mines, she follows the impact of green crimes right to our doorsteps and meticulously profiles the work of the heroes bringing these criminals to justice.
Shaw how do the Earth’s killers think? What makes their crimes so deadly? And how can we stop them from stealing our future?
Green Crime is the most far-reaching murder mystery ever told.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
About the author
Julia Shaw
6 books328 followersJulia Shaw is an honorary research associate at the University College London. Born in Germany and raised in Canada, she has a MS in psychology and law and a PhD in psychology from the University of British Columbia. She is a regular contributor to Scientific American.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 27, 2026
2.5/5
I was really excited for this book, like really. Especially when I randomly saw it in the store and decided I wanted to read it. BUT it disappointed… it had so much potential since it touched on water pollution, deforestation, animal endangerment and a few more but the style of the book was too chaotic for me, I couldn’t focus on what I was reading which resulted in me not retaining as much information as I wanted.
I don’t think I’d recommend it
I was really excited for this book, like really. Especially when I randomly saw it in the store and decided I wanted to read it. BUT it disappointed… it had so much potential since it touched on water pollution, deforestation, animal endangerment and a few more but the style of the book was too chaotic for me, I couldn’t focus on what I was reading which resulted in me not retaining as much information as I wanted.
I don’t think I’d recommend it
March 7, 2026
Such an excellent and accessible non fiction book! I’m a little sad it isn’t getting the attention it deserves. I went to a talk by the author and her deep knowledge and passion was so inspiring.
I loved the premise of the book- looking at specific case studies of environmental crimes and assessing why they happened from a psychological perspective. It definitely has more engaging narrative structure than a lot of other non-fiction and blends facts with well-paced stories and interviews.
Would recommend this to anyone regardless of how well you know about the climate crisis. It’s obviously bleak at times but by demonstrating the tireless work done by those trying to defend the environment the author highlights the importance of hope and taking meaningful action.
I loved the premise of the book- looking at specific case studies of environmental crimes and assessing why they happened from a psychological perspective. It definitely has more engaging narrative structure than a lot of other non-fiction and blends facts with well-paced stories and interviews.
Would recommend this to anyone regardless of how well you know about the climate crisis. It’s obviously bleak at times but by demonstrating the tireless work done by those trying to defend the environment the author highlights the importance of hope and taking meaningful action.
April 18, 2026
The subject of this book is very compelling, but the writing style was distractingly infuriating. Each chapter is dedicated to the story of some environmental crime and spends 50 pages digging into the circumstances and trying to dig into the minds of the perpetrators. But even within each chapter, the author constantly jumps around between topics in a way that gave me whiplash. “But before we get to more of this actual story, let me pivot and tell you about something tangentially related...” happened at least once in all six chapters. The constant waffling and jumping around between timelines was insanely frustrating. The writing also, at many points, evoked that of a tell-don’t-show a high school essay. In every single chapter the author felt the need to use the exact same language of “I’ll explain how this happened and what this reveals about the psychology of green crime.” Again, every single chapter. I genuinely cannot believe that an editor signed off on this boilerplate writing style, or worse, that an editor directed the author to write in this way. Maybe because they thought this language would make the book more accessible to more readers? I learned a lot from reading this, and I can tell that the author did her due diligence with the research and reporting that went into this book, so it’s just such a shame that it was written so poorly.
July 29, 2026
This was an interesting look on Climate Change that felt quite different from how we usually discuss it as it does look one step further than we usually tend to do. This book looks explicitly at what happens when regulations and laws to protect the climate are made and they are NOT followed. Basically a look at how laws are enforced, should be enforced and how bad it still is despite good laws being put in place.
In a way, this book gave me hope. It made me realize that things are being done all around the world to protect the planet and that there are people fighting for it and maybe that we aren't as helpless as we think we are.
I also loved the short passages that are sprinkled in between on how we can actually do more than we think we can by influencing and changing people's behaviour around us from a psychological perspective. Like setting a new baseline on what behaviour is seen as the norm by basically just living it.
And I must say, that's a thing I have noticed too. I am not vegan but I'm trying and since I've started and have introduced people to alternatives, cooked vegan meals for them and invited them to vegan restaurants, people suddenly started to be more aware of their animal product consumption as well and I didn't even do that on purpose.
Overall, I must say, this book is a very valuable addition to climate literature, especially for people who are not experts and want to get started. It's an easy read, very educational and also hopeful with a subtle call to action.
In a way, this book gave me hope. It made me realize that things are being done all around the world to protect the planet and that there are people fighting for it and maybe that we aren't as helpless as we think we are.
I also loved the short passages that are sprinkled in between on how we can actually do more than we think we can by influencing and changing people's behaviour around us from a psychological perspective. Like setting a new baseline on what behaviour is seen as the norm by basically just living it.
And I must say, that's a thing I have noticed too. I am not vegan but I'm trying and since I've started and have introduced people to alternatives, cooked vegan meals for them and invited them to vegan restaurants, people suddenly started to be more aware of their animal product consumption as well and I didn't even do that on purpose.
Overall, I must say, this book is a very valuable addition to climate literature, especially for people who are not experts and want to get started. It's an easy read, very educational and also hopeful with a subtle call to action.
April 16, 2026
To be clear, I have no issues at all with the content of the book. I agree with the author on almost every point. Psychology and the environment sounds like an awesome combo. But I just could not get over how unrefined this book is. There were so many fragmented sentences, spotty transitions, and uncontextualized information dumps that the effect detracts from the argument that is being made. The book jumps around in time, which is usually fine, but the transitions between sections are disjointed and abrupt.
If the goal is to be a casual read, fine. But you can create a casual tone without detracting from the story. Every case study was a prime example of telling, not showing — imagine my surprise when on page 289 the author mentioned “show, don’t tell” as a strategy that “many budding writers will have heard of.”
This book is trying to be two things at the same time: an academic case study and an entertaining nonfiction read. But the problem is that these two modalities are so different that it’s hard to switch between the two — and this book never sticks the landing. You jump around between these two worlds without spending enough time in either to fully develop into a sound narrative or an interesting psychological framework. In the words of Ron Swanson, it’s trying to half-ass two things instead of whole assing one thing.
I admit that these are all pieces that probably won’t bother most people. Overall, the book is a great introduction to how green crime works and will certainly force those who read it to question their own habits and reflect on what they can do to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. There is value in the academic framework here and the facts about our own planet are powerful. I think this is a compelling (at times gruesome) and tragic story. But is ultimately hopeful, and asks everyone to self-reflect on both their impact on the world and what you can (and/or should) do about it.
I feel the need to explain and qualify this review because of how much I agree with the arguments and how much the author’s work resonates with me. The author is clearly so passionate and knowledgeable about green crime, and I have deep respect for her and her work. I have come away knowing more than I did before. Again, the content is not at fault here. Whatever editing was done clearly failed the book, and I wish that didn’t come at the expense of the narrative.
To me unfortunately, the entire book read like a B- college research paper.
If the goal is to be a casual read, fine. But you can create a casual tone without detracting from the story. Every case study was a prime example of telling, not showing — imagine my surprise when on page 289 the author mentioned “show, don’t tell” as a strategy that “many budding writers will have heard of.”
This book is trying to be two things at the same time: an academic case study and an entertaining nonfiction read. But the problem is that these two modalities are so different that it’s hard to switch between the two — and this book never sticks the landing. You jump around between these two worlds without spending enough time in either to fully develop into a sound narrative or an interesting psychological framework. In the words of Ron Swanson, it’s trying to half-ass two things instead of whole assing one thing.
I admit that these are all pieces that probably won’t bother most people. Overall, the book is a great introduction to how green crime works and will certainly force those who read it to question their own habits and reflect on what they can do to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. There is value in the academic framework here and the facts about our own planet are powerful. I think this is a compelling (at times gruesome) and tragic story. But is ultimately hopeful, and asks everyone to self-reflect on both their impact on the world and what you can (and/or should) do about it.
I feel the need to explain and qualify this review because of how much I agree with the arguments and how much the author’s work resonates with me. The author is clearly so passionate and knowledgeable about green crime, and I have deep respect for her and her work. I have come away knowing more than I did before. Again, the content is not at fault here. Whatever editing was done clearly failed the book, and I wish that didn’t come at the expense of the narrative.
To me unfortunately, the entire book read like a B- college research paper.
September 18, 2025
Allen, die es noch nicht gelesen haben, kann ich es nur wärmstens empfehlen 🌍💚 – denn Umwelt betrifft uns alle. In sechs klar strukturierten Kapiteln erhält man nicht nur einen umfassenden Überblick über zentrale Umweltprobleme ♻️, sondern auch über die Menschen, die aktiv dagegen ankämpfen 💪. Besonders wertvoll finde ich, dass das Buch nicht nur die Täterinnen zeigt 🚫, sondern auch die Aktivistinnen, Fachleute und engagierten Menschen 🙌, die für unsere Zukunft eintreten 🌱 und die Rechte der Natur verteidigen 🌳⚖️.
September 2, 2025
Ich habe gerade Julia's neues Buch „Green Crime“ gelesen und war beeindruckt, wie sie ihr Wissen als Rechtspsychologin genutzt hat, um ein so wichtiges Werk zur Bekämpfung der Umweltkrise zu schreiben. Durch die lebendige und spannende Erzählweise habe ich es in wenigen Tagen verschlungen. Es ist bereits das vierte Buch, das ich mit Begeisterung von ihr gelesen habe – diesmal sogar mit gleich zwei Themen, die mich besonders interessieren: die Psychologie des Menschen und das Klima.
August 3, 2026
XXXXX
UNMASKING EARTH'S KILLERS
XXXXX
"In this book, I am going to introduce you to the environmental defenders, investigative journalists, and scientists who make green crimes visible and refuse to be silenced. The undercover agents, international police, industry regulators, and environmental lawyers who track down perpetrators and hold them accountable. And the researchers at the United Nations, and universities around the world who help us make sense of it all."
The above (in italics) comes from this eye-opening book by Dr. Julia Shaw. Shaw is a criminal psychologist at University College in London, U.K. She is also an author.
This book explains the motives of environmental criminals and the defenders who expose their eco crimes.
Shaw looks in detail at six horrifying cases that allow the reader to go deep into green or environmental crime and address the big question: why are people willing to destroy the Earth? Is it just about profit or is it something more?
This book has it all: murder, emissions, deforestation, illegal fishing, poaching, oil spills, fraud, illegal mining, etc.
Finally, the idea of environmental crime is nothing knew. In the past, these criminals were simply fined. But what is new is that these criminals are being incarcerated. CEOs (those heroes of capitalism) are no longer being allowed to hide behind their companies.
In conclusion, this book provides insight into the criminal element that threatens humanity's collective survival. Therefore, it should read by anyone who cares about the future of our beautiful planet!!!
XXXXX
(2025; introduction; 6 chapters; conclusion; main narrative 210 pages; acknowledgements; notes; index; about the author)
XXXXX
UNMASKING EARTH'S KILLERS
XXXXX
"In this book, I am going to introduce you to the environmental defenders, investigative journalists, and scientists who make green crimes visible and refuse to be silenced. The undercover agents, international police, industry regulators, and environmental lawyers who track down perpetrators and hold them accountable. And the researchers at the United Nations, and universities around the world who help us make sense of it all."
The above (in italics) comes from this eye-opening book by Dr. Julia Shaw. Shaw is a criminal psychologist at University College in London, U.K. She is also an author.
This book explains the motives of environmental criminals and the defenders who expose their eco crimes.
Shaw looks in detail at six horrifying cases that allow the reader to go deep into green or environmental crime and address the big question: why are people willing to destroy the Earth? Is it just about profit or is it something more?
This book has it all: murder, emissions, deforestation, illegal fishing, poaching, oil spills, fraud, illegal mining, etc.
Finally, the idea of environmental crime is nothing knew. In the past, these criminals were simply fined. But what is new is that these criminals are being incarcerated. CEOs (those heroes of capitalism) are no longer being allowed to hide behind their companies.
In conclusion, this book provides insight into the criminal element that threatens humanity's collective survival. Therefore, it should read by anyone who cares about the future of our beautiful planet!!!
XXXXX
(2025; introduction; 6 chapters; conclusion; main narrative 210 pages; acknowledgements; notes; index; about the author)
XXXXX
December 11, 2025
This is a really well written exploration of an area of crime that doesn’t usually get the attention it deserves. The book explains some genuinely complex issues in a way that feels clear and manageable, and her use of the six pillars to explain the key motivations behind each type of environmental crime helps make sense of it all.
I particularly liked the chapter on wildlife trafficking, if liked is the right word for something so grim. It’s a hugely complicated subject, and she manages to show just how tangled the whole system is without it ever feeling overwhelming.
What also stood out is that the book isn’t all bleak as a lot of non-fiction literature on the environment can often be. There’s actually a sense of hope in seeing how many people and organisations are out there fighting for the environment in really practical ways. It leaves you feeling like progress is possible, even if the scale of the problem is massive.
Overall, smart, clear and unexpectedly uplifting given the topic. Worth a read.
I particularly liked the chapter on wildlife trafficking, if liked is the right word for something so grim. It’s a hugely complicated subject, and she manages to show just how tangled the whole system is without it ever feeling overwhelming.
What also stood out is that the book isn’t all bleak as a lot of non-fiction literature on the environment can often be. There’s actually a sense of hope in seeing how many people and organisations are out there fighting for the environment in really practical ways. It leaves you feeling like progress is possible, even if the scale of the problem is massive.
Overall, smart, clear and unexpectedly uplifting given the topic. Worth a read.
February 21, 2026
Die Autorin beschreibt sechs Umweltverbrechen und analysiert diese anhand von sechs Säulen der Umweltkriminalität: Bequemlichkeit, Straffreiheit, Gier, Rationalisierung, Konformität und Verzweiflung.
Es ist interessant über diese Verbrechen zu lesen, vieles wusste ich noch nicht und habe mich über die Dreistigkeit und Bösartigkeit geärgert, mit denen CEO's die Welt verschmutzen.
Weniger gefallen hat mir der Schreibstil. Die Autorin versucht Spannung aufzubauen, fängt mit einem Thema an und verspricht dann später darauf zurückzukommen, um sich erst einmal einem anderen Aspekt zu widmen. An anderen Stellen vereinfacht sie nicht genug oder ich hatte den Eindruck, dass sie Themen noch schnell anhandeln wollte.
Insgesamt habe ich einiges gelernt, auch wenn ich jetzt nicht vorhabe, mich irgendwo in die Eismeere zu stellen und aufzupassen, dass kein falscher Fisch illegal gefangen wird. Respekt all deenen, die sich so stark einsetzen.
Es ist interessant über diese Verbrechen zu lesen, vieles wusste ich noch nicht und habe mich über die Dreistigkeit und Bösartigkeit geärgert, mit denen CEO's die Welt verschmutzen.
Weniger gefallen hat mir der Schreibstil. Die Autorin versucht Spannung aufzubauen, fängt mit einem Thema an und verspricht dann später darauf zurückzukommen, um sich erst einmal einem anderen Aspekt zu widmen. An anderen Stellen vereinfacht sie nicht genug oder ich hatte den Eindruck, dass sie Themen noch schnell anhandeln wollte.
Insgesamt habe ich einiges gelernt, auch wenn ich jetzt nicht vorhabe, mich irgendwo in die Eismeere zu stellen und aufzupassen, dass kein falscher Fisch illegal gefangen wird. Respekt all deenen, die sich so stark einsetzen.
August 7, 2026
Green Crimes or ecocide : a new vocabulary for a very old threat to our planet. Julia Shaw examines six different forms of ecocide: emissions fraud, the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, the ivory trade and the killing of elephants, illegal fishing in Antarctica, illegal mining in Africa, and oil spills. As a criminal psychologist, Shaw tries to understand why humans are capable of destroying their own planet without necessarily feeling guilty about it. She explores the roles of ease, impunity, greed, rationalisation, conformity, and desperation, showing how people at the top of the food chain and those at the bottom can both become trapped in these spirals of environmental destruction. What I particularly liked is that the book doesn’t only focus on the perpetrators. Shaw also brings forward the many people fighting these crimes and shows how, sometimes, they manage to make a real difference. It is a depressing book, inevitably, but not entirely without hope. There are a few small windows onto the possibility of change – and that is what makes the book worth reading.
https://redheadwithabrain.ch/index.ph...
https://redheadwithabrain.ch/index.ph...
March 21, 2026
I was disillusioned in my job. If I’m honest, this book makes me query some of my experiences in work. Its distillation of why people from all aspects of society commit environmental crime was incredibly eye opening and reflective of my own experiences.
Dr Shaw has an incredible ability of making complex psychological concepts easy to understand through well told narratives. It did jump around slightly within the narrative, more than you would in a story but I think that was down to telling intricate tales and moral stories and so each page had to capture the detail that she wanted to convey.
The bringing it back to the key concepts of why everyone commits eco crime makes it easy to remember and ties it well together. I do probably need to read it again to commit the messages to memory to take into my life. Overall, a brilliant read and would recommend to anyone to understand why green crime happens and why we need to do something about it.
Dr Shaw has an incredible ability of making complex psychological concepts easy to understand through well told narratives. It did jump around slightly within the narrative, more than you would in a story but I think that was down to telling intricate tales and moral stories and so each page had to capture the detail that she wanted to convey.
The bringing it back to the key concepts of why everyone commits eco crime makes it easy to remember and ties it well together. I do probably need to read it again to commit the messages to memory to take into my life. Overall, a brilliant read and would recommend to anyone to understand why green crime happens and why we need to do something about it.
May 30, 2026
Eine Kriminologin nimmt Umweltverbrechen unter die Lupe - woher sich die Motivation speist, wie die Verbrecher damit durch kommen und sich noch nicht einmal für schuldig halten. Und wie mangelnde Aufsicht oder Strafverfolgung oder gesellschaftliche Ächtung das Ganze befeuern.
Ein wichtiger Beitrag, um sich über die Verantwortung von Unternehmen Gedanken zu machen - erst recht, wenn deal-machende Präsidentenfamilien demonstrieren, wie die Verquickung von Geld und Macht auf die Spitze getrieben werden kann
Ein wichtiger Beitrag, um sich über die Verantwortung von Unternehmen Gedanken zu machen - erst recht, wenn deal-machende Präsidentenfamilien demonstrieren, wie die Verquickung von Geld und Macht auf die Spitze getrieben werden kann
January 15, 2026
I don’t think this is the book that will change the world and cause the world to take notice. But, it wasn’t bad. It was interesting listening to stories of those that are working against the rules and laws for the purpose of making money.
I do think that some stories were better than others, and I did find myself tuning out from time to time, without the need to go back and figure out what I missed.
I do think that some stories were better than others, and I did find myself tuning out from time to time, without the need to go back and figure out what I missed.
April 18, 2026
of all the non fiction books I’ve read this year, this has been the most interesting. Studying ecological issues through a criminal lense has offered a new perspective to judge the state of our climate.
June 6, 2026
documents many crimes against the planet including illegal fishing, poaching, mining, oil spills
I am guilty of reading many of these books which reinforce my views but I do not make fundamental changes. this book actually challenges you to make changes which is a good thing
I am guilty of reading many of these books which reinforce my views but I do not make fundamental changes. this book actually challenges you to make changes which is a good thing
August 22, 2026
Things I knew or thought I knew but in more depth yet still accessible without having to have some insane tertiary degree.
I love the way the book is structured and the topics discussed are just so relevant.
This book should be read by everyone, of all ages.
I love the way the book is structured and the topics discussed are just so relevant.
This book should be read by everyone, of all ages.
October 13, 2025
Sehr informatives Buch über die Verbrechen, die an Erde, Luft und Tieren begangen wurden. Teilweise musste ich pausieren, da ich mich entweder zu sehr aufgeregt habe, oder zu traurig war.
January 5, 2026
this was actually very insightful and throught provoking. it answered a lot of questions i had but i am still sort of unclear on the proposed solutions.
January 7, 2026
With 6 examples the psychologist Julia Shaw dives deep into the different kinds and reasons for green crime. Very interesting and fast to read.
January 23, 2026
An interesting set of case studies about environmental horrors.
February 10, 2026
Ein sehr erschreckendes Buch, unglaublich aktuell, das mir oft auf schmerzhafte Art den Spiegel vorgehalten hat.
February 10, 2026
I was disappointed in Julia Shaw's book. It told me only a little I didn't know, I didn't like the style of writing and the format of each chapter felt clunky. oh dear.
February 15, 2026
There was very little new information for me in this book. The writing constantly jumps back and forth, which makes it difficult to follow and disrupts the flow.
March 3, 2026
Loved this book! Gives you a completely different take on “sustainability” and climate change, highly recommend!
May 19, 2026
I read 50 pages and it sucks
May 25, 2026
Everyone should read this. Well researched, well written, 100% applicable to every human being
May 26, 2026
It's heartbreaking to see how selfish humans can be and how far some people and companies will go to benefit themselves at the expense of others. So much respect for the people who risk their lives to protect the environment and stand up against the injustice.
I think I would have liked this book more if it had taken a more academic approach. Although I get that this writing style makes it an easier read for more people
I think I would have liked this book more if it had taken a more academic approach. Although I get that this writing style makes it an easier read for more people
April 14, 2026
dalia und ich waren bei ihrer lesung und ich habe gefangirled (sie ist so cool und hot)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews