PoliticsJuly 31, 2026

ecocide

EK-oh-side

Definition

The deliberate and widespread destruction or damage of an ecosystem, especially as a consequence of human activity or warfare.

Etymology

The word is a modern portmanteau derived from the Greek 'oikos' (meaning house or dwelling) and the Latin '-cide' (meaning killer or act of killing). It was coined in the late 20th century to frame environmental destruction as a crime comparable to genocide.

In the news

In the article, ecocide refers to the destruction of land and soil in Palestine, rendering it unfit for traditional agriculture as a form of colonial control. It highlights how environmental degradation is used as a weapon to undermine Indigenous food sovereignty.

‘Our Knives Will Save Us’: On the Importance of Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Read the full article ↗

Palestine Chronicle

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