We are now in Anthropocene, a new chapter of Earth
ET Online and Agencies|
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The Anthropocene
The Anthropocene defines Earth's most recent geologic time period as being human-influenced, or anthropogenic, based on overwhelming global evidence that atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, biospheric and other earth system processes are now altered by humans. The Anthropocene is distinguished as a new period either after or within the Holocene, the current epoch, which began approximately 10,000 years ago (about 8000 BC) with the end of the last glacial period.
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The era of humans
The Anthropocene Working Group, mandated by the high priests of Earth's geological timeline, concluded that human appetites and activity have evicted the planet -- and its inhabitants -- from the stability of the Holocene epoch, which began 11,700 years ago as the last ice age ended, an AFP report stated. It can be felt in how hot the world is getting each day, with its life support systems on the verge of failing.
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What's the evidence?
According to the AFP report, soaring greenhouse gases, ubiquitous microplastics, pervasive "forever chemicals", the global upheaval of animals, even old mobile phones and chicken bones -- all have been put forward as evidence that the world entered the Anthropocene, or era of humans, in the mid-20th century.
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More energy consumption than ever
Another major evidence for establishing that we are in the Anthropocene era is not so surprising - the rapid surge in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are heating the world. As per the AFP report, humans have consumed more energy since 1950 than was used in the previous 11,700 years of the Holocene epoch, the Anthropocene scientists have shown.
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Massive weight
In 2020, researchers estimated that the mass of all objects made by humans has now exceeded the weight of all living things on the planet. The Anthropocene researchers called these objects "technofossils". The scientists say that hundreds of thousands of years into the future, all of these markers will be clearly preserved to give our future ancestors -- or any other beings who care to look -- insight into this human era.
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The 'golden spike'
What was the "golden spike" to determine the Anthropocene? Was it the single lake deposit, coral reef, ice core or other geological repository of evidence that best embodies the Anthropocene? Scientists are likely to decide that on July 11.
