Scientists on the Verge of Confirming Earth’s Transition into the Anthropocene Era, Attributed to Human Activities

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Scientists are on the verge of providing evidence that the Earth has entered a new era, known as the Anthropocene epoch. This marks the point at which humanity’s impact on the planet’s geology became irreversible, a milestone that hasn’t occurred in over 11,700 years.

After extensive research conducted by the international Anthropocene Working Group, composed of geologists and historical scientists, a small lake outside Toronto has been identified as the official reference point for the new era.

The formation of the Anthropocene era began at the end of the last ice age and has been a focus of study by the group since its establishment in 2009. The scientists involved affirm that the changes occurring on the planet can no longer be explained without considering human activity and interventions, which have been evident since the 1950s.

Jürgen Renn, a scientific member at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, explains, “We can observe that humans have essentially created a new Earth sphere beyond the biosphere.” Renn emphasizes the need to understand not only the traditional Earth spheres like the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, but also the human technosphere.

The concept of the Anthropocene was initially introduced by atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2000. Since then, it has gained gradual interest and acceptance in the scientific community.

Over the past three years, the working group has been searching for a definitive location, referred to as a “golden spike,” that defines the start of the new ecological era. Multiple potential sites, including Antarctic peninsula, Beppu Bay in Japan, Ernesto Cave in Italy, Flinders Reef in Australia, and Crawford Lake in Ontario, Canada, were assessed and voted upon by the team.

Researchers examined these sites for signs of human-made markers such as artificial radionuclides, combustion particles, neobiota, and organic pollutants, all of which indicate human-caused planetary changes. Crawford Lake displayed the most evidence of changes in species and human activity over time, thanks to its substantial depth, allowing for the preservation of submerged matter.

“The record at Crawford Lake represents the changes that differentiate the time since [1950] geologically from before, warranting, in our opinion, a golden spike,” says AWG member Francine McCarthy.

In addition to designating Crawford Lake as the reference point, researchers will submit proposals on why the Anthropocene epoch should be recognized and the date it officially began. The final vote is planned for the International Geological Congress in Busan, South Korea, next year.

The researchers emphasize that the vote may result in the formation of a new age within the Holocene epoch instead of designating an Anthropocene era. Yet, they believe that declaring the Anthropocene could stimulate political action to mitigate humanity’s impact on the Earth.

Colin Waters, the chair of AWG from the University of Leicester, says, “There was nothing inevitable about this, even a century ago, that we would move into a new epoch. It shows that the combined impacts of humanity can be changed rapidly for the good and for the bad. There’s hope in that respect.”