When Did the Anthropocene Actually Begin?
Scientists want to pinpoint the technology that marked when humanity became a “geological superpower.” On the short list: the H-bomb and the modern chicken......»»
New nature writing genre brings wild and tricky aspects of climate crisis to life
We live in an age of climate emergency and eco-anxiety. This is, after all, the Anthropocene—a geological period defined by the bootprint of humans on Earth. Bearing witness to our place in the world is critical now more than ever but writing about.....»»
Anthropocene activities dramatically alter deep underground fluid flux, researchers find
Much of Earth's water is hidden hundreds of meters beneath our feet, among soil particles and deep within rock pores and fractures......»»
The Anthropocene epoch that isn"t—what the decision not to label a new geological epoch means for Earth"s future
For almost 15 years, scientists have debated whether the Anthropocene should be an official geological epoch marking the profound influence of humans on the planet. Then in March, an international panel of scientists formally rejected the proposal fo.....»»
The Anthropocene already exists in our heads, even if it"s now officially not a geological epoch
An international subcommittee of geologists recently voted to reject a proposal to make the Anthropocene an official new geological epoch, defined by humanity's enormous impact on the planet. Assuming some protests do not overturn the ruling, it will.....»»
Viewpoint: What the Anthropocene"s critics overlook, and why it really should be a new geological epoch
Geologists on an international subcommission recently voted down a proposal to formally recognize that we have entered the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch representing the time when massive, unrelenting human impacts began to overwhelm the Earth.....»»
Stickiness in glacial space and time
Rising temperatures and melting ice play a central role in the unfolding Anthropocene—i.e., the most recent geologic period in Earth's history. What distinguishes the Anthropocene from prehistoric human impacts on the environment, mainly those caus.....»»
Ancient cities provide key datasets for urban planning, policy and predictions in the Anthropocene
Cities play a key role in climate change and biodiversity and are one of the most recognizable features of the Anthropocene. They also accelerate innovation and shape social networks, while perpetuating and intensifying inequalities. Today over half.....»»
Researchers prove human influence on large herbivore diets during Anthropocene
The human population explosion, soaring from 1.6 billion to more than 6 billion during the 20th century, has had a profound impact on global environments and biodiversity. However, large mammalian herbivores, including species such as elephants and d.....»»
The Anthropocene condition: Evolving through social–ecological transformations
Drawing together an array of interdisciplinary studies across archaeology, ecology, anthropology, and evolutionary theory, Erle Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, explains the evolu.....»»
Scholars say it"s time to declare a new epoch on the moon, the "Lunar Anthropocene"
Human beings first disturbed moon dust on Sept. 13, 1959, when the USSR's unmanned spacecraft Luna 2 alighted on the lunar surface. In the following decades, more than a hundred other spacecraft have touched the moon—both crewed and uncrewed, somet.....»»
Analysis supports demarcation of new epoch characterized by human impact on planet
Scientists have long debated the Anthropocene Epoch, a proposed unit of geologic time corresponding to the most recent period in history. It's characterized by substantial human impact on the planet......»»
Our planet is burning in unexpected ways—here"s how we can protect people and nature
People have been using fire for millennia. It is a vital part of many ecosystems and cultures. Yet human activities in the current era, sometimes called the "Anthropocene," are reshaping patterns of fire across the planet......»»
Crawford Lake: What the past can teach us about urban living today
When I heard that Crawford Lake in southern Ontario was selected as the "Golden Spike" candidate for placing the beginning of the Anthropocene epoch in 1950—essentially, the best place in the world to show how humans impacted the planet's fossil re.....»»
Did the Anthropocene start in 1950—or much earlier? Here"s why debate over our world-changing impact matters
It made world news last week when a small lake in Canada was chosen as the "Golden Spike"—the location where the emergence of the Anthropocene is most clear. The Anthropocene is the proposed new geological epoch defined by humanity's impact on the.....»»
Crawford Lake chosen as the primary marker to identify the start of the Anthropocene epoch
An international team of researchers has chosen the location which best represents the beginnings of what could be a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene......»»
Humans" impact on Earth began a new epoch in the 1950s called the Anthropocene, scientists say
From climate change to species loss and pollution, humans have etched their impact on Earth with such strength and permanence since the middle of the 20th century that a special team of scientists says a new geologic epoch began then......»»
Welcome to the Anthropocene, Earth"s new chapter
Since 2009, a cloistered band of hard-rock geologists and other scientists have toiled on a mission of great consequence......»»
Anthropocene "sixth mass extinction" event predicted to be worse than previously thought
A trio of macro-biologists and life scientists, two with Queen's University Belfast and the third with Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, has found that the modern "sixth mass extinction" event is going to be even worse than prior research has.....»»
Could a reinterpreted Marxism have solutions to our unprecedented environmental crisis?
In 2021, Kohei Saito's "Capital in the Anthropocene" became a publishing sensation in Japan, eventually selling more than half a million copies......»»
When Did the Anthropocene Actually Begin?
Scientists want to pinpoint the technology that marked when humanity became a “geological superpower.” On the short list: the H-bomb and the modern chicken......»»