
Stratigraphic and Earth System approaches to defining the Anthropocene
Author(s) -
Steffen Will,
Leinfelder Reinhold,
Zalasiewicz Jan,
Waters Colin N.,
Williams Mark,
Summerhayes Colin,
Barnosky Anthony D.,
Cearreta Alejandro,
Crutzen Paul,
Edgeworth Matt,
Ellis Erle C.,
Fairchild Ian J.,
Galuszka Agnieszka,
Grinevald Jacques,
Haywood Alan,
Ivar do Sul Juliana,
Jeandel Catherine,
McNeill J.R.,
Odada Eric,
Oreskes Naomi,
Revkin Andrew,
Richter Daniel deB.,
Syvitski James,
Vidas Davor,
Wagreich Michael,
Wing Scott L.,
Wolfe Alexander P.,
Schellnhuber H.J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
earth's future
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.641
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2328-4277
DOI - 10.1002/2016ef000379
Subject(s) - anthropocene , earth system science , interglacial , earth science , geology , climate change , holocene , paleontology , astrobiology , quaternary , oceanography , physics
Stratigraphy provides insights into the evolution and dynamics of the Earth System over its long history. With recent developments in Earth System science, changes in Earth System dynamics can now be observed directly and projected into the near future. An integration of the two approaches provides powerful insights into the nature and significance of contemporary changes to Earth. From both perspectives, the Earth has been pushed out of the Holocene Epoch by human activities, with the mid‐20th century a strong candidate for the start date of the Anthropocene, the proposed new epoch in Earth history. Here we explore two contrasting scenarios for the future of the Anthropocene, recognizing that the Earth System has already undergone a substantial transition away from the Holocene state. A rapid shift of societies toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals could stabilize the Earth System in a state with more intense interglacial conditions than in the late Quaternary climate regime and with little further biospheric change. In contrast, a continuation of the present Anthropocene trajectory of growing human pressures will likely lead to biotic impoverishment and a much warmer climate with a significant loss of polar ice.