Anthropocene or Holocene? The future of the world is being discussed

Recently, a committee of approximately 20 scientists and academics voted. declaring that humanity has not yet experienced the Anthropocene. While the Triassic period is considered a period when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, the Anthropocene represents the transformation of the planet based on the actions caused by human society in the environment.

According to an internal announcement of the voting results observed by the newspaper New York TimesThe majority of members of the research group voted against the idea that humanity is currently living in the Anthropocene.

The group, comprised mostly of geologists, notes: society is currently experiencing a period called the Holocene; The geological era began shortly after the last Ice Age, about 11,700 years ago. What determined the beginning of the Holocene was the growth of the human population and the way we came to dominate agriculture.

The decision goes against what other scientists believe about Earth; Some argue that the planet entered the Anthropocene during the industrial revolution, when humanity’s actions on the environment began to increase significantly.

“Events associated with the Anthropocene include: a massive increase in erosion and sediment transport associated with urbanization and agriculture; marked and sudden anthropogenic disruptions in the cycles of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and various metals, along with new chemicals.” compounds; environmental changes caused by these disturbances,” the researchers explain.

Anthropocene or Holocene?

Over the last three centuries, humanity has been responsible for many actions that have caused changes in the environment, such as high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. So, due to global warming, rising sea levels, and melting of extremely cold regions, among other factors, some researchers suggest that we have now entered the Anthropocene era. However, the new decision indicates that not everyone agrees with this idea.

Researchers suggest that the beginning of a new geological era is marked by major environmental disruptions. For example, During the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene, during the last ice age, almost a third of the planet was covered by ice.

Since this has not yet happened in the present moment of humanity, They believe there is not enough evidence for the beginning of the Anthropocene. In any case, it may not be long before the effects of human actions lead to a turning point that will mark the beginning of a new geological era.

“If there is one main reason geologists have rejected this proposal, it is that its recent history and shallow depth are too narrow to encompass deeper evidence of human-caused planetary changes,” said Erle, a professor of Geography and Environmental Systems at the University of Maryland. C. Ellis, in a text published on his website Speech.

Did you like the content? Always stay informed about the latest research on Earth at TecMundo. If you wish, take the opportunity to understand how much life exists and will exist on Earth.