Geologists on an international subcommittee recently rejected a proposal to formally recognize that we have entered the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch that represents the time when massive, relentless human influences began to overwhelm Earth’s regulatory systems. A new era needs a start date. The geologists were therefore asked to vote on a proposal to … Read more
When people talk about the “Anthropocene,” they typically imagine the enormous impact human societies are having on the planet, from rapid declines in biodiversity to increases in global temperatures from burning fossil fuels. Such massive planetary changes did not all begin at one time or place. That’s why it was controversial when, after more than … Read more
The Triassic was the beginning of the dinosaurs. The Paleogene saw the rise of mammals. The Pleistocene included the last ice ages. Is it time to mark humanity’s transformation of the planet with its own chapter in Earth’s history, the ‘Anthropocene’, or the human era? Not yet, scientists have decided, after a debate that lasted … Read more
The Triassic was the beginning of the dinosaurs. The Paleogene saw the rise of mammals. The Pleistocene included the last ice ages. Is it time to mark humanity’s transformation of the planet with its own chapter in Earth’s history, the ‘Anthropocene’, or the human era? Not yet, scientists have decided, after a debate that lasted … Read more
A recent story on Space.com presented the idea that some scientists believe we are entering the “lunar Anthropocene.” In other words, like Earth’s Anthropocene, the moon is entering a phase in which human activities will play an important role in its natural history. This is of course true. The first impacts of Soviet probes occurred … Read more
Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news about fascinating discoveries, scientific developments and more. For thousands of years, the moon inspired people from afar, but the bright beacon in Earth’s night sky – more than 200,000 miles (321,868 kilometers) away – remained out of reach. That all changed on … Read more
Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news about fascinating discoveries, scientific developments and more. For thousands of years, the moon inspired people from afar, but the bright beacon in Earth’s night sky – more than 200,000 miles (321,868 kilometers) away – remained out of reach. That all changed on … Read more