Ecocide

Definition

‘Ecocide is broadly understood to mean mass damage and destruction of ecosystems – severe harm to nature which is widespread or long-term.’

Source: Stop Ecocide International

Explainer

The term ‘ecocide’ was first used in the 1970s in protest against the Vietnam War, specifically in reference to the US’s use of chemical warfare (Agent Orange) in Vietnam, which caused mass environmental destruction. Since then, there have been continued efforts to codify and criminalise ecocide in international law. Examples of ecocide include unsustainable and destructive practices such as overfishing, oil spills, deep sea mining, industrial livestock farming, mineral extraction, palm oil production, mountaintop removal, chemical disasters/weapons, radioactive contamination and fracking. The global call for an Ecocide Law, backed by many civil society organisations, lawyers and scientists, aims to provide accountability for such actions, create more legal frameworks to aid in sustainability goals and ultimately transform our relationship with the environment.