Ecocide: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
ecocide
[ หiหkษหsaษชd ]
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:
๐ต๐น ecocรญdio
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเคพเคฐเคฟเคธเฅเคฅเคฟเคคเคฟเคเฅ เคนเคคเฅเคฏเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช รkozid
๐ฎ๐ฉ ekosida
๐บ๐ฆ ะตะบะพัะธะด
๐ต๐ฑ ekocyd
๐ฏ๐ต ใจใณใตใคใ
๐ซ๐ท รฉcocide
๐ช๐ธ ecocidio
๐น๐ท ekosid
๐ฐ๐ท ์์ฝ์ฌ์ด๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฅุจุงุฏุฉ ุจูุฆูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ ekocida
๐ธ๐ฐ ekocรญda
๐จ๐ณ ็ๆ็ญ็ป
๐ธ๐ฎ ekocid
๐ฎ๐ธ vistun
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะบะพัะธะด
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแชแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ ekosid
๐ฒ๐ฝ 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.