ClimateAugust 18, 2026
draconian
dray-KOH-nee-un
Definition
Excessively harsh, severe, or cruel, particularly regarding laws, penalties, or measures.
Etymology
The word is derived from Draco, a 7th-century BCE Athenian lawmaker who codified a set of laws known for their extreme severity, where even minor offenses were punishable by death. It entered English in the 19th century to describe any rule or policy characterized by harshness.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the intense conservation measures that climate skeptic Jonathan Franzen suggests would be necessary to effectively address climate change. By labeling them 'draconian,' the author implies that Franzen is framing these actions as unacceptably extreme or oppressive.
A Climate Grand Jeté
Read the full article ↗Brooks Bulletin