Blog Post: S. Fazal Daoud Firdausi
Anthropocene is the ‘proposed geological epoch’ dating from the commencement of significant human impact on earth’s geology and ecosystem. Researchers believe that it will mark the beginning of the new history of the earth which may be called as ‘human age’.
Origin of Anthropocene
The word Anthropocene came into limelight after Paul Crutzen, Dutch chemist and Nobel Prize winner used the term in 2000. He was supported by atmospheric scientist Eugene Stoermer. Crutzen argued that for the last 12,000 years earth’s geological patterns and climate remained relatively stable. However, the on-going epoch Holocene might end abruptly to start a new epoch i.e. Anthropocene. A thirty-four member Anthropocene working group (AWG) has been advocating for changing the name of the current epoch to Anthropocene. It has also been discussed at the International Geological Congress and claims have been submitted to the International Commission on Stratigraphy to take a final call on the matter.
The word Anthropocene came into limelight after Paul Crutzen, Dutch chemist and Nobel Prize winner used the term in 2000. He was supported by atmospheric scientist Eugene Stoermer. Crutzen argued that for the last 12,000 years earth’s geological patterns and climate remained relatively stable. However, the on-going epoch Holocene might end abruptly to start a new epoch i.e. Anthropocene. A thirty-four member Anthropocene working group (AWG) has been advocating for changing the name of the current epoch to Anthropocene. It has also been discussed at the International Geological Congress and claims have been submitted to the International Commission on Stratigraphy to take a final call on the matter.
Markers of Anthropocene
Evidences of human impact on the planet is overwhelming. The sharpest marker is the global arrival of ‘Radionuclide’ left over from atomic explosion, nuclear test and nuclear disasters viz. Chernobyl, Fukushima etc. since 1945. It will remain in the rock record for millions of years. Recently, studies linking faults and their lubrication by precipitation (due to climate change) have also come infront of the world community. Plastics are everywhere, from mountain to deep ocean floor. Eventually, these plastics will sink to the sea floor and become part of the future strata. Most inconvenient truth about the proposed epoch Anthropocene is that the changes brought by humans are so profound that they have become almost irreversible.
The threat from ‘Anthropocene’ is long-lasting, however world community and India is trying hard to resolve the crisis. Keeping in mind the looming crisis, India has already initiated National Action Plan for Climate Change and moving rapidly to adapt renewable energy and sustainable technologies.
Evidences of human impact on the planet is overwhelming. The sharpest marker is the global arrival of ‘Radionuclide’ left over from atomic explosion, nuclear test and nuclear disasters viz. Chernobyl, Fukushima etc. since 1945. It will remain in the rock record for millions of years. Recently, studies linking faults and their lubrication by precipitation (due to climate change) have also come infront of the world community. Plastics are everywhere, from mountain to deep ocean floor. Eventually, these plastics will sink to the sea floor and become part of the future strata. Most inconvenient truth about the proposed epoch Anthropocene is that the changes brought by humans are so profound that they have become almost irreversible.
The threat from ‘Anthropocene’ is long-lasting, however world community and India is trying hard to resolve the crisis. Keeping in mind the looming crisis, India has already initiated National Action Plan for Climate Change and moving rapidly to adapt renewable energy and sustainable technologies.