Can you explain what the Anthropocene is?

Some scientists argue that the significant impact caused by human activities on our planet has introduced a fresh geological era known as the Anthropocene. Conversely, some individuals contend that assertions of a fresh epoch are premature.

Around 12,000 years ago, the conclusion of the ice age brought about a new geological era called the Holocene. With its relatively warm and stable climate, human society was able to thrive.

The Holocene paved the way for the development of agriculture, the rise and fall of major civilizations, cultural advancements, and technological progress. As humans engaged in activities like farming, they reshaped their environment unlike any other species.

However, many scientists believe that the beginning of this century marked the end of the Holocene era. They argue that since the end of World War II, humans have made such profound and rapid changes to Earth’s geology, landscapes, oceans, and ecosystems that a new geological epoch has begun: The Anthropocene.

Is it the Anthropocene or not?

 This assertion has been questioned by other experts. The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG), a group of scientists, has been working for over a decade to have the new epoch recognized by an independent committee of experts from the International Union of Geological Sciences.

A “large majority” of the approximately 24 committee members voted down the proposal to confirm the Anthropocene’s onset around 1950. The New York Times reports that the committee cannot reconsider this proposal for another ten years.

Some proponents of naming a new epoch argue that the Anthropocene began during the Industrial Revolution, when humans started burning fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.

On the other hand, there are those who believe that the Anthropocene started in the 1950s, when humanity’s impact on the planet began to escalate. The atmospheric nuclear tests conducted during that time spread a layer of plutonium isotopes, leaving behind a distinct radiological marker in sediments – a direct result of human activity.

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Can you explain what a geological epoch is?

The Earth’s crust records the geological time scale, dividing its history into distinct periods known as geological epochs. These epochs, such as the Late Cretaceous, the Middle Jurassic, and the Holocene, typically span millions of years and leave significant evidence in rock layers. This evidence includes changes in mineral composition and the presence of fossils, which reflect major shifts in climate.

A growing movement advocates declaring a new epoch, the Anthropocene, characterized by human activities’ significant impact on the planet. Proponents argue that human-made climate change, pollution, nuclear testing, and industrial agriculture are all leaving lasting geological traces that will endure for millions of years.

The term Anthropocene derives from the Greek words for human (anthropo) and recent (cene) and gained popularity in 2000 when Dutch atmospheric chemist Paul J Crutzen and US biologist Eugene Stoermer published an article on the concept.

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What traces have humans left behind?

The atmosphere hasn’t seen such high levels of CO2 in 3 million years. This increase in CO2 is causing global warming and ocean acidification, resulting in the most acidic oceans in millions of years. The way we have transformed landscapes through industrial agriculture and urbanization, along with the excessive use of fertilizers, has significantly impacted nitrogen levels in soil and water.

The rise of plastics and other modern materials like concrete has given rise to a new layer known as “technofossils,” as coined by scientists. Even the bones of broiler chickens, whose production for food skyrocketed during World War II, serve as a potential indicator of the Anthropocene era.

Furthermore, due to changes in land-use and climate, the planet is currently experiencing what could be the sixth mass extinction. The previous mass extinction occurred approximately 65 million years ago.

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Why is it important?

Previous eras have been shaped by various natural events like meteor strikes, continental drift, and volcanic eruptions that released large amounts of CO2 into the air, each leaving distinct traces and changing life on Earth. However, this would be the first era influenced by a single species.

Even though the idea of formalizing the Anthropocene was rejected, scientists already use the term to describe the environmental dangers caused by humans.

More than just a geological term, it has become a way to show how much humans impact the Earth, its ecosystems, and other species — and how humans can make that impact more positive.

Since the 1500s, science has moved away from placing humans at the center of everything. Nicolaus Copernicus’ discovery that the Earth revolves around the sun, and Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution demonstrated that humans are not special.

This new definition puts humans back in a position of control, but also gives them a new responsibility, according to philosophers.