For decades, politicians have left the responsibility to protect the world’s natural resources to environmental organizations and aid agencies. Yet, with environmental crime on the rise and revenue filling the coffers of the world’s worst terrorist organizations and transnational criminals, governments are now responding with more resources and energy than at any other time. Novel and innovative approaches, nonetheless, are necessary in the public and private sectors, and new partnerships need to be forged to overcome this threat to conservation, sustainable development, and global security.

Photo credit: Calle via Flickr