Description |
Changes in our planet derived from human activities are now comparable to massive volcanic eruption and meteorite impacts in the past, to the extent that we can now consider the advent of a distinctively new geological era, the Anthropocene. This concept was first proposed by an atmospheric chemist, Paul J. Crutzen, in 2000 and was quickly adopted by earth system scientists and geologists, humanity scholars and social scientists, artists and performers. Yet this new geological concept is still not much familiar to the general public and has to go through many steps to get the official endorsement from the International Commission on Stratigraphy. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that the Anthropocene refers to our planet's planetary crisis, which includes climate change and ecological destruction. |