Stop ecocide. If not now, when?

I went on a trip to plant trees a couple of weeks ago. Yes, to plant trees as a volunteer for ReforestArg, an organization from Argentina that invites you to be part of the restoration of degraded native forests in Patagonia- Argentina. Once again, for the second time this year and several times throughout my life, I isolated myself for days in the Patagonian mountains to dig little forests and regenerate the land, our land. Or, as we say in Latin America, our Pachamama or Mother Nature.

Upon my return, during lunch at the office, I wanted to share the experience in detail with my team. Those had been stormy days in the forest, with heavy snow and rain—a state of nature that was difficult to inhabit and yet undeniable, so immediate that it became impossible not to connect. During our conversation that day in the Bi space, several terms came up—some of which we’ll delve into another day—but the one that resonated the most, like the echo of a shout in the mountains, was ecocide.

Let's start at the beginning: what is ecocide, and why should we be concerned and talk about it?

It is a term that describes the massive and deliberate destruction of the environment. Ecocide is not just an environmental "problem"; it is a threat to our very survival. A healthy planet is essential for our health, economy, and quality of life. But what does this mean in practice? The destruction of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, accelerated climate change, industrial pollution of rivers and aquifers, massive deforestation, destruction of coral reefs, drying up of wetlands, and so on, and so on, and so on. It is essential to clarify that determining whether an act constitutes ecocide requires a case-by-case evaluation, considering factors such as the severity of the environmental damage, the intentionality of the act, and the scale of its effects.

Ecocide: A crime against nature

The term "ecocide" became popular in the 1960s in the context of the Vietnam War. It was used to describe the indiscriminate use of chemical defoliants, such as Agent Orange, which caused unprecedented environmental devastation in the region.

The choice of the word "ecocide" was not an accident. Just as genocide is a crime against humanity, ecocide is conceived as a crime against nature—a sort of "ecological genocide." 

Although the concept of ecocide has existed in public consciousness for decades, its formal recognition as an international crime is a relatively recent pursuit. Fact: ecocide is still not officially recognized as an international crime by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Over the years, activists and legal experts have worked tirelessly toward this recognition. The idea is that, just as there are international courts to judge crimes against humanity, there should also be a legal mechanism to hold those who commit such acts accountable.

One of the most prominent organizations in this fight is Stop Ecocide. This global campaign seeks to legally define ecocide and ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice. Even Sir Paul McCartney has joined this cause.

There is no need to panic. What can we do?

• Provides support to political leaders who include the issue in their agendas.

• To prevent eco-anxiety, it is important to get information from reliable sources, talk about it, and debate it with your close groups.

• Be a responsible consumer: Opt for sustainable products, reduce plastic, and waste less food.

• Spread the word and raise awareness: Share information on ecocide and inspire others to get involved or support existing efforts.

• Support sustainable initiatives: Vote for and support political and corporate leaders who are truly committed to environmental protection.

You might be thinking, 'Why is a communications agency discussing ecocide?' Well, communication is the key to raising awareness and driving change. As a communications agency, we feel we have to use our skills and platforms to discuss important issues like ecocide actively and responsibly.

The recognition of ecocide as an international crime represents a fundamental step towards a more sustainable and just future. Although the road ahead is long, the growing awareness of the environmental crisis and the pressure from civil society are driving this change.

Ecocide is a global problem that requires global solutions. The revolution is collective and now is the time for it. If not now, when?

illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.