Ecocide: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒ
Add to dictionary

ecocide

 

[ หˆiหkษ™หŒsaษชd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

environmental crime

Ecocide refers to the widespread destruction of the natural environment, particularly when it is carried out intentionally. It often involves significant harm to ecosystems, biodiversity, and the rights of local communities who depend on these environments for their survival. Ecocide is seen as a serious crime against the Earth and is gaining recognition in various legal frameworks, aiming to hold individuals and corporations responsible for their actions that lead to environmental devastation. The term emphasizes the urgent need for international laws to prevent and address environmental destruction.

Synonyms

ecological harm, environmental destruction, environmental devastation

Examples of usage

  • The company was charged with ecocide for dumping toxic waste into the river.
  • Activists are advocating for ecocide to be recognized as an international crime.
  • Deforestation on such a massive scale can be considered ecocide.

Translations

Translations of the word "ecocide" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ecocรญdio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคพเคฐเคฟเคธเฅเคฅเคฟเคคเคฟเค•เฅ€ เคนเคคเฅเคฏเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช ร–kozid

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ekosida

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะตะบะพั†ะธะด

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ekocyd

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚จใ‚ณใ‚ตใ‚คใƒ‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉcocide

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ecocidio

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ekosid

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์—์ฝ”์‚ฌ์ด๋“œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฅุจุงุฏุฉ ุจูŠุฆูŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ekocida

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ekocรญda

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็”Ÿๆ€็ญ็ป

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ekocid

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vistun

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะบะพัะธะด

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ”แƒ™แƒแƒชแƒ˜แƒ“แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ekosid

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ecocidio

Etymology

The term 'ecocide' was coined in the 1970s by the legal scholar and activist Polly Higgins. It combines the prefix 'eco-', derived from the Greek word 'oikos' meaning 'house' or 'dwelling place', with '-cide', a suffix from Latin that means 'to kill'. The concept emerged during a time of increasing awareness about human impact on the environment, particularly following events like the Vietnam War, where the use of herbicides, such as Agent Orange, had devastating effects on ecosystems and communities. Discussion surrounding ecocide reflects a growing recognition of the need to protect the planet and its inhabitants from harm caused by industrialization and corporate activities. Today, ecocide is increasingly featured in global dialogues about sustainability and environmental justice, highlighting the legal and moral responsibilities of individuals and corporations toward the Earth.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,520, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.