This book is about environmental defenders and the violence they face while seeking to protect their land and the environment. Between 2002 and 2019, at least two thousand people were killed in 57 countries for defending their lands and the environment. Recent policy initiatives and media coverage have provided much needed attention to the protection and support of defenders, but there has so far been little scholarly work. This edited volume explains who these defenders are, what threats they face, and what can be done to help support and protect them. Delving deep into the complex relations between and within communities, corporations, and government authorities, the book highlights the diversity of defenders, the collective character of their struggles, the many drivers and forms of violence they are facing, as well as the importance of emotions and gendered dimensions in protests and repression. Drawing on global case studies, it examines the violence taking place around different types of development projects, including fossil fuels, agro-industrial, renewable energy, and infrastructure. The volume also examines the violence surrounding conservation projects, including through militarized wildlife protection and surveillance technologies. The book concludes with a reflection on the perspectives of defenders about the best ways to support and protect them. It contrasts these with the lagging efforts of an international community often promoting economic growth over the lives of defenders. This volume is essential reading for all interested in understanding the challenges faced by environmental defenders and how to help and support them. It will also appeal to students, scholars and practitioners involved in environmental protection, environmental activism, human rights, social movements and development studies. Review "This is an important collection of carefully selected research on nature and dynamics of violence over conservation and development projects in different parts of the world. Highly recommended for all scholars and students of the social movements in general and environmental protests in particular." ― Ashok Swain, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden "Environmental Defenders, Deadly Struggles for Life and Territory, an essential reading to understand the frontlines of the war for land, shaping the future of humanity and the planet. It will be a crucial handbook for organisations like mine to help us learn about the experiences of environmental defenders in places we have never yet been." ― Patrick Alley, co-founder of Global Witness and author of Shadow Network: Chasing Down the Thieves and Crooks Who Secretly Run Our World (2022) "How can we protect the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth if we cannot protect environmental defenders? This powerful, timely and insightful book tackles two converging global crises; humanity's war on nature and the systemic violence against the courageous communities and individuals struggling to defend life, nature and culture. Enriched by a diversity of voices from across the planet, Environmental Defenders identifies the root causes of exploitation and prescribes pathways towards peace, reconciliation and a sustainable future." ― David R. Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment, Associate Professor of Law, Policy, and Sustainability, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, The University of British Columbia "A very importantant collection of narratives, essential to understand what motivates environmental defenders to become locked in a constant fight for communal territories when they also must struggle to keep themselves alive! To understand this, we need to emerse ourselves in this book, which brings touching testimonials of people who experience firsthand this long history of resistance." ― Angela Mendes, Coordinator of the Chico Mendes Committee and daughter of Chico Men
