Anthropocene

Anthropocene is a term that has been used to refer to the period of time during which humanity has become a planetary force of change. It appears in scientific and social discourse, especially with respect to accelerating geophysical and biochemical changes that characterize the 20th and 21st centuries on Earth. Originally a proposal for a new geological epoch following the Holocene, it was rejected as such in 2024 by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

The term has been used in sophisticated research relating to Earth's water and salt, geology, geomorphology, landscape, limnology, hydrology, ecosystems and climate. The effects of human activities on Earth can be seen, for example, in regards to biodiversity loss, and climate change. Various start dates for the Anthropocene have been proposed, ranging from the beginning of the Neolithic Revolution (12,000–15,000 years ago), to as recently as the 1960s. The biologist Eugene F. Stoermer is credited with first coining and using the term anthropocene informally in the 1980s; Paul J. Crutzen re-invented and popularized the term.

In 2024, after 15 years of deliberation, the Anthropocene Epoch proposal of the AWG was voted down by a wide margin by the SQS, owing largely to its shallow sedimentary record and extremely recent proposed start date. The ICS and the IUGS later formally confirmed, by a near unanimous vote, the rejection of the AWG's Anthropocene Epoch proposal for inclusion in the Geologic Time Scale. The IUGS statement on the rejection concluded: "Despite its rejection as a formal unit of the Geologic Time Scale, Anthropocene will nevertheless continue to be used not only by Earth and environmental scientists, but also by social scientists, politicians and economists, as well as by the public at large. It will remain an invaluable descriptor of human impact on the Earth system."

Development of the concept

The idea of the Anthropocene began long ago. As early as 1873, the Italian geologist Antonio Stoppani talked about the growing influence of humans on Earth, calling it the 'anthropozoic era'. Later, scientists in the Soviet Union used the term Anthropocene in the 1960s.

The term became well-known in 2000 thanks to Paul J. Crutzen, an atmospheric chemist, who believed human actions had changed Earth so much that a new geological epoch had begun. Some scientists suggest the Anthropocene started around 1780 with the Industrial Revolution, while others think it began much earlier with the rise of farming.

In 2008, scientists started working to make the Anthropocene an official part of Earth's timeline. In 2023, they chose Crawford Lake in Ontario, Canada as a possible starting point, marking the 1950s due to signs like plutonium from nuclear tests. However, in March 2024, the international group responsible for deciding Earth's official timeline voted against making the Anthropocene official. They felt they couldn't clearly define when it began because human impacts happened at different times in different places.

Proposed starting point

Main article: Industrial Revolution

Some scientists think the Anthropocene started during the Industrial Revolution, when machines began changing the world. Others believe it began in the mid-20th century when human activities, like using chemicals in farming and testing atomic bombs, left marks in Earth’s layers. These changes show how humans have become a powerful force shaping our planet.

Etymology

The word Anthropocene comes from two ancient Greek words: anthropos, meaning “human,” and kainos, meaning “new” or “recent.” It is used to describe a time when humans have had a big effect on the Earth.

Nature of human effects

Main article: Human impact on the environment

The Anthropocene describes a time when humans have a big effect on Earth. One big change is the loss of many plant and animal species. Humans have caused many animals to disappear faster than normal. This started thousands of years ago but sped up in the last few hundred years, especially in the 1800s and today.

Humans also change where animals and plants live. Some animals, like elephants and tigers, now come out at night to avoid people. Humans have also changed Earth’s climate by putting lots of carbon dioxide in the air from burning coal, oil, and gas. This warms the planet and causes problems like wildfires, coral bleaching, and rising sea levels.

Debates

The idea of the Anthropocene suggests humans have become a major force shaping Earth’s systems. While some support this view, others argue it oversimplifies complex issues. Critics point out that not all humans contribute equally to environmental changes. Some suggest alternative names like "Capitalocene" to highlight the role of economic systems, or "Plantationocene" to focus on the impact of certain farming practices. These debates show how the term Anthropocene sparks important conversations about responsibility and justice in addressing global environmental challenges.

"Early anthropocene" model

Main article: Early anthropocene

Some believe the Anthropocene began around 8,000 years ago when humans started farming. This change led to many animal extinctions and altered landscapes. However, others argue this timeline is too early based on newer research.

Homogenocene

Homogenocene describes today’s world where nature becomes more uniform. This happens as plants, animals, and diseases travel worldwide, often because of human activities. This term helps us understand how global connections change ecosystems.

Society and culture

The idea of the Anthropocene has inspired many artists, writers, and thinkers. It makes us think about big questions like how humans affect the world and what the future might hold. Scholars have written books and held meetings to discuss these ideas.

Some famous works include a podcast and book called The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, where he rates different parts of our human-shaped world. Photographer Edward Burtynsky also made a project called "The Anthropocene Project" showing how humans change the land through his pictures. Musicians have also used the term in song titles and album names.