There is general scientific agreement that human activity has had a profound geological influence on the Earth System. The magnitude, variety and longevity of human-induced changes to the lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and atmosphere suggest that humans have indeed moved the Earth System beyond the Holocene Epoch into the Anthropocene. Currently the Anthropocene is an informal term used to mark when human actions began to have a global impact on Earth’s environment. It powerfully expresses the fact that human activity is having geological-scale impacts on Earth, which could last millions of years. There has been considerable debate about the definition of the Anthropocene, including when it began. Suggestions range from many thousands of years ago to a few decades ago.
In this Science Talk, Professor Mark Maslin will examine the evolution of human societies throughout history to determine whether there is an appropriate start date or as other have suggested the Anthropocene is a geological ‘Event’ with no precise start date due to the heterogeneous nature of human impacts on the planet. Professor Maslin argues that only by understanding the history of our species can we plan future societies that priorities the environment and human wellbeing.
You may watch the talk on the UNU-INWEH YouTube channel (no registration required).
Speaker
Mark Maslin
Lead, Climate, Health and Security
