Our current era is called the Anthropocene. This term, coined by Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen, signifies the current geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on the Earth's systems.
While the official geological definition is still being debated, the Anthropocene is broadly understood as beginning around the mid-20th century, marked by:
- Rapid population growth: Leading to increased resource consumption and environmental pressure.
- Industrialization: With its associated pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat destruction.
- Global climate change: Driven by human activities, resulting in altered weather patterns, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification.
- Mass extinctions: Accelerated by human activities, with species disappearing at an unprecedented rate.
The Anthropocene highlights the profound and lasting impact of human activities on Earth's ecosystems, urging us to consider our responsibility for the planet's future.
