The Minnesota Senate has passed a resolution designating April as Ecocide Awareness and Prevention Month. This resolution highlights the historical and ongoing impacts of ecocide, a term coined by Dr. Arthur Galston to describe acts that cause severe and long-term environmental damage. It references significant environmental disasters, such as the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and emphasizes the increasing legal recognition of ecocide as a human rights crime. The resolution also notes the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, including women, Indigenous communities, and rural residents.

Furthermore, the resolution calls for accountability for those responsible for environmental degradation, asserting that the costs of climate crises should not fall solely on taxpayers. It advocates for laws that would deter future ecocide and promote positive environmental actions. By proclaiming April as a month dedicated to raising awareness and preventing ecocide, the Minnesota Senate aims to foster public engagement and encourage initiatives that protect the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change.