The Anthropocene starts in August 2024, maybe…
Geological time classifications of earth
What is an epoch?
An epoch in geology is a division of time that is a subdivision of geological periods and is itself subdivided into ages.
In the context of Earth's geological time scale, epochs are defined by significant changes in the rock strata that correspond to changes in environmental conditions, often marked by the appearance or extinction of species. These changes can include shifts in climate, major geological events (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation or breakup of continents), and biological evolution or extinction events that are recorded in the fossil record.
The geological time scale is organised from the largest divisions of time into eons, which are subdivided into eras, which in turn are divided into periods, epochs, and finally, the smallest units, ages.
This hierarchical system allows geologists and paleontologists to discuss the history of Earth and its life forms in a detailed and structured way.
Each epoch is characterised by certain types of rock formations and fossil assemblages that are unique to its timeframe, helping scientists to date rocks and fossils and understand the chronological sequence of Earth's history.
For example, the current epoch, the Holocene, began approximately 11,700 years ago at the end of the last major Ice Age. It is marked by a relatively stable climate and has seen the rise of human civilization.
The precise boundaries of epochs are determined by the International Commission on Stratigraphy based on evidence from various parts of the world, making them important markers for understanding the timing and sequence of events in Earth's history.
So what is the Anthropocene?
The term "Anthropocene" is derived from the Greek words for "human" (anthropo) and "new" (cene), yet its precise definition remains a subject of debate. Originating in the 1980s, it gained widespread attention in 2000 when atmospheric chemist Paul J. Crutzen and diatom researcher Eugene F. Stoermer proposed that humanity has entered a distinct geological epoch. This concept underscores the significant impact humans have on the Earth, suggesting we inhabit an era markedly different from those that preceded it.
However, the adoption of the term and it’s marking in time has been the subject of some quite heated debate in the scientific community recently.
“Scientists Reject Proposal to Define the Anthropocene, a Geological Age Marked by Human Activity”
(typical headlines from March 2024)
The Anthropocene is a suggested geological epoch, marked from the start of considerable human impacts on Earth to the present. This epoch reflects significant changes in Earth's geology, landscapes, bodies of water, ecosystems, and climate, evidenced by phenomena like biodiversity loss and climate change. Proposals for its onset range widely, from the start of the Neolithic Revolution around 12,000–15,000 years ago to the 1960s.
In May 2019, the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) decided to propose officially defining this epoch to the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) by 2021. They suggested marking the beginning of the Anthropocene in the mid-20th century, aligning with the Great Acceleration, a period of rapid increases in global population, pollution, and resource exploitation following World War II, and the dawn of the Atomic Age, characterized by heightened nuclear risks.
By April 2016, the AWG under the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) of the ICS agreed to advance with a formal proposal to define the Anthropocene epoch through a golden spike (GSSP), and presented this proposal at the International Geological Congress in August 2016.
As of April 2024, neither the ICS nor the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has recognised the Anthropocene as an official geologic time period.
In March 2024, after 15 years of consideration, the IUGS rejected a proposal to officially acknowledge the Anthropocene, mainly over disagreements regarding its proposed mid-20th century start date. However, the door remains open for future appeals or challenges to this decision.
Why the rejection
The refusal to officially recognise the Anthropocene epoch stemmed from various concerns voiced by detractors. They highlighted the extensive history of human influence on Earth that extends well beyond the mid-20th century, citing early milestones like the onset of agriculture and the Industrial Revolution as pivotal moments that significantly altered the planet. Furthermore, there was considerable reluctance to endorse a new geological time unit representing an epoch that spans less than a typical human lifespan. This hesitation is rooted in the traditional geological practice where time units typically encompass durations from thousands to millions of years, making the proposed timeframe for the Anthropocene markedly shorter by comparison.
This decision should not be misconstrued as a denial of the profound and lasting impacts humans have made on Earth's climate, biodiversity, and atmosphere. These impacts are undeniable and will undoubtedly be recognised in geological records. Instead, the contention lies more in the specifics and semantics related to pinpointing the exact moment in time when these changes should be formally acknowledged within the geological timescale. The debate over when the Anthropocene should begin underscores a broader discussion about how humanity's influence on the planet is categorised and understood within the context of Earth's vast geological history.
Google maps close up and zoom out showing the location of Crawford lake which could be instrumental in reaching an agreement as to when the Anthropocene starts
Just a lake in Canada…
Despite the rejection this fascinating saga continues with the suggestion of a seemingly insignificant and random lake in Canada chosen to potentially represent the start of the Anthropocene, so the question we should ask is why would a geographical feature represent the start of a geological time period and can it help the scientists reach an accord and decide when the epoch starts?
Despite its apparent insignificance, this lake has been meticulously selected, considering that the identification of a new epoch generally relies on geological evidence.
"The site under consideration is a sinkhole lake in Canada, notable for its annual sediment layers that document the profound impacts of human activity from 1950 onwards. This includes traces of plutonium from hydrogen bomb tests to particles emitted from burning fossil fuels that have encircled the globe. Should this site gain approval from the custodians of the geological timescale, we anticipate the formal recognition of the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch in August 2024." experts have noted.
They emphasise that such a decision holds significant social, political, and scientific implications, serving as a testament to "the magnitude and gravity of the global transformations triggered by industrialized humanity."
Crawford Lake is seen from a drone in April. Layers of sediment from the meromictic lake hold centuries of data — including the human influence on the environment. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)
The Anthropocene's most visible impact is the climate crisis, but the era is also defined by extensive wildlife loss, the proliferation of invasive species, and the pervasive contamination of the globe with plastics and nitrates.
Formed in 2009, the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) concluded by 2016 that the scale of human-induced changes on Earth warranted a new geological time unit. To this end, the AWG meticulously evaluated a variety of global sites for what geologists term a “golden spike”—a point marking the abrupt and worldwide shifts characteristic of the new epoch's commencement.
Among the considered sites were coral reefs in the U.S. and Australia, a peat bog in Poland, the Antarctic ice sheet, and layers of human detritus beneath Vienna. Ultimately, Crawford Lake, near Toronto, was chosen following several rounds of deliberation by the AWG.
Prof. Francine McCarthy from Brock University, Canada, and a member of the AWG, remarked,
“Global evidence points to a significant shift, a tipping point in Earth's system. Crawford Lake is unique in its ability to annually chart the historical changes on Earth.”
Crawford Lake, nestled in a limestone sinkhole, is distinguished by its depth of 24 meters and compact surface area of 2.4 hectares. Its vertical orientation prevents the mixing of bottom and surface waters, ensuring the clarity of the sediment record.
“The lake's bottom remains cut off from the world, except for the materials that gently settle and accumulate in the sediments,” McCarthy explained.
Mud and fragments from the bottom of Crawford Lake. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)
What can be found in the mud…
The AWG has identified plutonium isotopes from H-bomb tests as the Anthropocene's primary marker, due to their global dispersion from 1952 and subsequent decline following the mid-60s Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, creating a distinct sediment spike.
"The plutonium presence starkly signifies the era when humanity's influence became so dominant that it left a unique, global 'fingerprint' on our planet," stated Prof. Andrew Cundy, an environmental radiochemist at the University of Southampton and AWG member.
Additional significant markers found in the lake's sediments include spherical carbon particles from fossil fuel combustion in power stations and nitrates from widespread chemical fertilizer use. “We observe a dramatic concentration increase at the same depth as the plutonium spike,” McCarthy noted.
The 1950s initiated the "great acceleration," a period marked by unparalleled industrial, transportation, and economic activity post-World War II.
“It's this acceleration, particularly the surge in plutonium 239 fallout, that we've designated as a critical juncture in Earth's history,” McCarthy stated.
Scientists conduct core sampling at Crawford Lake in April. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)
Prof. Jürgen Renn, director of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin, Germany, highlighted,
“The Anthropocene concept is now solidly anchored in a precise stratigraphic definition, providing a scientific discourse reference point. It also bridges natural sciences and humanities, focusing on humanity's role in shaping our collective destiny. Thus, having a shared reference point is crucial.”
Final approval of Crawford Lake as the Anthropocene's marker site, and the epoch itself, depends on three further geological authority votes: the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy, the International Commission on Stratigraphy, and ultimately the International Union of Geological Sciences. This decision presents a challenge for geologists accustomed to dealing with vast time spans and using fossil-bearing rocks as markers. The AWG hopes to persuade the voting entities with a comprehensive dossier, arguing that the Anthropocene indeed reflects a significant planetary transformation warranting a new geological era.
Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, from the University of Bristol, raised concerns about plutonium's longevity, noting its radioactive decay over millions of years. He also questioned the necessity of an Anthropocene epoch, suggesting,
“We are but a ripple in the river of gene flow through time.”
Prof. Colin Waters, AWG chair from the University of Leicester, remarked,
“The Anthropocene, beginning in the 1950s, represents a swift planetary change caused by us. There's hope in that; the collective impacts of humanity can swiftly shift for better or worse. It's not predestined that we continue on a path to environmental decline.”
The anthropocene could end up looking like this with humanity taking on a role as a beneficial keystone species and actually protecting the earth as its stewards.
What’s the significance of this?
The acknowledgment of the Anthropocene as a distinct geological epoch underscores the profound influence humans have exerted on Earth, marking a period in which human activities have become the dominant environmental force, capable of affecting geological processes.
This recognition is not merely an academic or scientific declaration; it encapsulates a pivotal shift in understanding the relationship between humanity and the planet. It signifies an era where human actions have precipitated significant changes in the Earth’s geology, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and climate.
The term "Anthropocene" itself is neutral, indicating change rather than explicitly categorising these changes as beneficial or detrimental. However, the specifics of these changes—ranging from altered atmospheric CO2 levels due to fossil fuel combustion, to deforestation, ocean acidification, and the mass extinction of species—often paint a picture of harm or degradation. These impacts, while showcasing human ingenuity and technological advancement, also highlight the unintended consequences of unchecked industrial growth, resource exploitation, and environmental negligence.
The recognition of the Anthropocene carries with it a mirror to humanity, reflecting not just our capacity to alter our planet on a scale previously relegated to major geological forces, but also our responsibility to manage this power. It suggests that the legacy of human influence on the planet is indelibly etched into its very strata, a testament to both our achievements and our follies.
The philosophical implications of recognising the anthropocene
This epoch, marked by our indelible imprint on the planet, calls us not to mere acknowledgment but to a radical awakening of responsibility and guardianship over the tapestry of life as in recognising this epoch we recognise that humanity can exert and impact that is greater than we might have previously imagined, and impact that is literally geological in scale .
It is a clarion call to transcend anthropocentrism, to dissolve the illusion of separation between humanity and the natural world, urging us towards a holistic, ecocentric, or biocentric ethos where the flourishing of all life is the paramount moral compass guiding our actions.
This era beckons us towards a philosophy of coexistence, a paradigm shift from exploitation to symbiosis, where human progress is redefined to move in harmony with the rhythms of the Earth. It challenges us to cultivate practices and systems that are not merely sustainable but regenerative, envisioning human activity as a conduit for the Earth's vitality and resilience.
At the heart of the Anthropocene is a call to a deeper consciousness, a cultural metamorphosis that brings a profound reverence for the interconnected web of life. This epoch invites us to craft a new narrative, one that envisions humanity not as the planet's conqueror but as an integral thread in its living, breathing fabric.
Embracing the Anthropocene philosophically implies embracing our potential to be architects of restoration and harmony, leveraging our creativity, empathy, and moral insight to foster a world where human presence becomes a source of healing and enrichment. In this light, humanity's legacy could be one of nurturing the delicate balance of life, steering the planet towards a flourishing future that honours the sanctity of all beings. What a way for this epoch to be remembered, it is possible and it’s down to us to make the change.