Jamaica is part of this planet, existing in an era of unprecedented environmental concerns. Climate change, pollution, resource depletion, and loss of biodiversity threaten our planet and life as we know it. In our perennial campaigns to expose corruption and other forms of white-collar crimes, the transgressions of those who violate our laws to protect the environment and human healthcare are often overlooked.
Admittedly, enlightened citizens who are championing to preserve our natural treasures like the Cockpit Country, and our forests, mangroves and beaches, have trumpeted their concerns. However, the nature and scope of environmental crimes on this land of wood and water can extend well beyond disregarding environmental laws, and may include other fraudulent acts that can range from schemes such as falsification of data, inflation of invoices, concocted environmental impact studies, bribery of officials, and fraudulent insurance claims.