"Scientists Clash Over Declaring the Anthropocene Epoch"
The quest to declare the Anthropocene an official geological epoch has sparked a heated debate after a leaked vote apparently killed the proposal, leading to questions about its validity. Supporters argue that it would recognize the irreversible impact of human activity on the planet, while opponents believe it fails to acknowledge the long history of anthropogenic changes. The proposal, which sets the start date of the Anthropocene in 1952, was rejected by a geological committee, prompting calls for an inquiry. Despite the controversy, the concept of the Anthropocene is widely used to describe humanity's planet-altering impact, and alternative proposals may be considered in the future.
- Quest to declare Anthropocene an epoch descends into epic row The Guardian
- Are We in the 'Anthropocene,' the Human Age? Nope, Scientists Say. The New York Times
- Why did scientists reject the Anthropocene climate epoch? Vox.com
- Proposal to mark a new chapter in Earth’s history rejected, scientists say CNN
- Why it's proving difficult to define the official dawn of the Anthropocene BBC.com
Reading Insights
0
2
3 min
vs 4 min read
83%
631 → 105 words
Want the full story? Read the original article
Read on The Guardian