'eco-consciousness' originates from the combination of 'eco-', a prefix derived from 'ecology', and 'consciousness', which comes from Latin 'conscientia', meaning 'knowledge within oneself'.

'eco-consciousness' evolved from the growing awareness of environmental issues in the late 20th century.

Initially, it meant 'awareness of one's surroundings', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'awareness of environmental impact'.