Scientists Reject Naming New Geologic Era For Humans

The New York Times reports:

The Triassic was the dawn of the dinosaurs. The Paleogene saw the rise of mammals. The Pleistocene included the last ice ages. Is it time to mark humankind’s transformation of the planet with its own chapter in Earth history, the “Anthropocene,” or the human age?

Not yet, scientists have decided, after a debate that has spanned nearly 15 years. Or the blink of an eye, depending on how you look at it. A committee of roughly two dozen scholars has, by a large majority, voted down a proposal to declare the start of the Anthropocene, a newly created epoch of geologic time.

Read the full article.

According to the scientists, acknowledging human-caused changes to global geology would bring a formal end to the current Holocene era, which began with the retreat of the glaciers. Interesting piece. Gift link here.

After a 15 year discussion, we have a verdict:

Are We in the ‘Anthropocene,’ the Human Age? Nope, Scientists Say.https://t.co/TjrJGoMgFO

— Mathias Sundin (@MathiasSundin) March 5, 2024