Psychology - Forensic Psychology

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. Can we catch the perpetrators?

In Green Crime, Dr. Julia Shaw describes six world-changing environmental crimes in riveting detail, showing how the perpetrators think and why their crimes are so deadly. And, she meets the people who are working tirelessly to stop them.

Using original interviews with insider sources and leveraging her expertise as a criminal psychologist, Dr. Shaw reveals what was really behind the famous cases like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Dieselgate scandal. She also showcases important lesser-known crimes around the world. From murder and deforestation in Brazil to illegal fishing on the high seas, from Chinese poaching gangs to illegal mining in South Africa, Dr. Shaw exposes criminals who are stealing our collective resources.

Part true crime thriller, part psychological profile, Green Crime is a book that shows a fascinating and practical path to a cleaner, safer, greener world.

About The Author

Dr Julia Shaw is a criminal psychologist at University College London. She is an expert witness, gives talks around the world and has worked as a lecturer and researcher at various universities. She is the author of three books: The Memory Illusion, Making Evil and Bi. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Dr Shaw is also a TV and audio presenter, well known for hosting true crime shows with the BBC. She was born in Germany, grew up in Canada, and now lives in the UK.

  • Publish Date: September 08, 2026
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Category: Psychology - Forensic Psychology
  • Publisher: Chelsea Green
  • Trim Size: 6 x 9
  • Pages: 256
  • US Price: $24.95
  • CDN Price: $33.50
  • ISBN: 978-1-64502-519-1

Reviews

“With a global scope and a sharp eye on the future, Green Crime shows us who breaks environmental laws, how, and why. It’s a resounding call for all of us to fight for the planet we live on—and never give up.”—Alex von Tunzelmann, historian; author of Fallen Idols

“Julia Shaw has written a brilliant book that will completely change the way you think about the world, and how we treat it.”—Romesh Ranganathan, comedian; BAFTA award-winner; author of As Good As It Gets: Life Lessons from a Reluctant Adult

Green Crime by Dr. Julia Shaw is a welcome insight into the criminal behavior that threatens our collective survival.”—Captain Paul Watson, cofounder, Greenpeace; founder, Sea Shepherd

“Julia Shaw brilliantly sets the pace for criminal acts that the world needs to know about. A true-crime thriller that, for once, has global consequences.”—Adam Rutherford, BBC presenter; author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived

“The most logical and hopeful book about the climate crisis that I have ever read. . . . Rousing and gripping in equal measure—and written with absolute clarity—it should be read by everyone who cares about the future and who wants some guidance about helping humanity to get there.”—David Wilson, emeritus professor of criminology; TV presenter, In the Footsteps of Killers

"Julia is brilliant and her work is fascinating...Read Green Crime for a study of the dark world of environmental criminals."—Lex Fridman

"Dr. Julia Shaw's new book, Green Crime, is a page-turning exposé."Psychology Today

"Green Crime is something few would expect from a book filled with tales of barbarity, unsung heroes and all-too-infrequent justice: a gift we didn’t know we needed."—Red Canary Magazine

Author Bookshelf: Julia Shaw