Scientists Present Evidence for New Geologic Epoch Known as Anthropocene
A group of scientists from the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) announced on Tuesday that human activity has fundamentally altered the geology, atmosphere, and biology of the Earth. They claim that these changes have resulted in a new geologic epoch, known as the Anthropocene.
The evidence for this shift comes from the discovery made in Lake Crawford, a lake located in Ontario, Canada. The sediment collected from the lake bottom provided scientists with a geological record of changing environmental conditions. Specifically, they found a “golden spike” in the sediment layers, indicating a sudden and dramatic change in the Earth’s conditions.
One of the significant markers within this spike was the presence of plutonium, a substance rarely found naturally. The scientists concluded that this plutonium came from nuclear testing in the 1950s, making it a clear indicator of the onset of the Anthropocene. They propose naming the start of this new epoch between 1950 and 1954.
Colin Waters, the geologist who chaired the AWG, emphasized the scale of human impact on the Earth, stating that human activity is now not just influencing but controlling the planet. He also noted that the biology of the planet has changed abruptly, and it is impossible to return to the pre-Anthropocene state.
Despite the announcement, the idea of the Anthropocene epoch has yet to be formally recognized. Scientists have been debating when it might have begun and how to define it. The AWG plans to submit their evidence to the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the body responsible for naming geological eras, for consideration. Several scientific committees still need to vote on recognizing the Anthropocene for it to become widely accepted.
Notably, some scientists advocate for an even earlier start date for the Anthropocene. John Holdren, a former White House science adviser, agrees that human behavior is profoundly changing the Earth but believes that our understanding of the consequences and ability to change course is limited.
The Anthropocene represents a significant concept in understanding the impact of human activities on the Earth. As the scientific community continues to debate and gather evidence, humanity faces a crucial need to address and mitigate the consequences of our actions on the planet.