Polly Higgins (UK)

Polly Higgins was a visionary lawyer and environmental advocate from the UK who dedicated her life to the fight against ecocide. She championed the idea of making ecocide—mass destruction of ecosystems—a crime under international law. Her compelling argument was that just as genocide and war crimes are punishable, so too should be the severe, willful damage to our planet.

Polly's work was driven by a profound sense of justice and urgency, as she believed that recognizing ecocide as a crime would hold corporations and governments accountable for environmental destruction. Her legacy continues to inspire environmental movements worldwide, pushing for legal frameworks that protect the Earth's fragile ecosystems.