Anthropocene

The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch dating from the commencement of significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems, including, but not limited to, anthropogenic climate change. As of April 2022, neither the International Commission on Stratigraphy nor the International Union of Geological Sciences has officially approved the term as a recognised subdivision of geologic time, although the Anthropocene Working Group of the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy of the ICS voted in April 2016 to proceed towards a formal golden spike proposal to define the Anthropocene epoch in the geologic time scale and presented the recommendation to the International Geological Congress in August 2016. In May 2019, the AWG voted in favour of submitting a formal proposal to the ICS by 2021, locating potential stratigraphic markers to the mid-twentieth century of the common era.

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Why criticisms of the proposed Anthropocene epoch miss the point

In Denying the Anthropocene, Geologists Ignored Clear Evidence

It's time to accept that we are in the Anthropocene once and for all

Geologists reject the Anthropocene as Earth’s new epoch — after 15 years of debate. But some are now challenging the vote, saying there were ‘procedural irregularities’.

Scientists vote down a proposal to officially declare the start of a new interval of geologic time - the Anthropocene

It’s Not Officially the Anthropocene but Humans Have Changed the Planet

Surprise decision not to define the Anthropocene shocks scientists

Scientists Vote Down Proposal to Declare Anthropocene Has Begun

The Anthropocene is dead. Long live the Anthropocene

The proposed Anthropocene definition is unscientific and harmful

Crawford Lake, Canada, chosen as the primary marker to identify the start of the Anthropocene epoch

Pond mud proposed as Anthropocene’s ‘golden spike,’ defining human-altered geological age

Welcome to the Anthropocene, Earth's new chapter

When Did the Anthropocene Actually Begin?

When Did the Anthropocene Start? Scientists Closer to Saying When.

Are we in the Anthropocene? Geologists could define new epoch for Earth

Environment scientists close in on 'golden spike' to define Anthropocene

Bogs, lakebeds, and sea floors compete to become Anthropocene’s ‘golden spike’

Geologists to pinpoint official birthplace of the Anthropocene in 2022

Kim Stanley Robinson on how to have a good Anthropocene