What Is Ecocide and Why Does It Matter? In recent decades, the concept of “ecocide” has emerged as one of the most significant ideas in international environmental law. The term refers to the widespread, severe, or long-term destruction of the environment—damage that can devastate natural ecosystems and seriously threaten the lives of humans and other species. Many scholars and environmental activists argue that ecocide should be recognized as an international crime, alongside genocide and crimes against humanity. A look at