Analysis of the scientific justification and critical review of the use of the term "ecological" in the context of pollution and/or environmental protection

Abstract

Modern descriptions of the environment state are almost regularly accompanied by the use of the term "ecological". The term "environmental" has become almost universally accepted. Therefore, this paper clarifies the differences between concepts, terms and definitions related to the scientific fields of "ecology" and "environmental protection". Many researchers in their works, as well as media services, often mislead the interested public through their press releases by using the term "ecological" in the context of pollution and / or environmental protection. Conceptual and terminological definitions represent a significant level of development in a certain scientific discipline and often certain concepts are defined differently, which leads to misunderstandings and ambiguities when interpreting certain phenomena or making appropriate conclusions. A special problem is the translation of certain terms and expressions from foreign languages when these translations have a literal translation and do not follow the correct context of the research. This paper provides an overview of selected publications in which the term "ecological" is indiscriminately used both in the context of pollution and in the context of environmental protection, which we believe is not expedient or justified. The conclusions of the research indicate that the use of the term "ecological" in the positive or negative context of pollution or environmental protection is not scientifically based or scientifically justified.