. Scientists are trying to figure out how to describe ‘Anthropocene.’ 1610 has been suggested as the starting point. According to the authors’ findings, 1610 is when atmospheric carbon dioxide declined in unusual ways and there was an irreversible exchange between Old and New World species. This means that human activity has caused significant changes in Earth’s long-term climate that began in 1610. These changes will continue for hundreds of thousands of year, much like the massive meteorite that hit the Yucatan Peninsula and resulted the death of several species. Columbian Exchange is the vast transfer of people, animals, cultures, technologies, and technology between the New World and Old Worlds during the 15th or 16th centuries. The shifting of continents and sustained volcanic eruptions were the causes of previous epochs. Human actions are now causing changes to our planet. Are we truly a force of nature, or a geological force that can drive Earth to a new period? Millions of years. The new epoch has been created by humankind Scientists from University College London (UCL), believe that we are now a geological force. They suggest that our activity is responsible for a new geological age. An epoch requires two main criteria: 1. Documentation of Earth’s long-lasting changes is required. 2. Scientists must be able pinpoint the date and time of any global environmental change captured in natural materials, like sediment from the sea floor or ancient ice. A Golden Spike is an example of such a marker. It’s similar to the meteorite impact that caused dinosaurs to die. The authors systematically examined and compared the major environmental impacts of human activity of the last 50,000 years against those two main criteria. Nuclear Testing Fallout or Collision between Old and New Worlds? The shortlist included 1610, the first time the impact of collision between the Old and New Worlds 100 years ago was felt worldwide; and 1964, the date of nuclear weapon tests and the fallout. Both are evident in rock and sediment. The scientists believed 1610 was a stronger candidate. In 1492 Christopher Columbus arrived to the Americas. Global trade led to the reorganization of our planet’s life. The transatlantic trade of these species was unprecedented in human history. These authors are Professor Mark Maslin and Dr. Simon Lewis from UCL Geography. They argue that this “unambiguous” event marked the beginning of Earth’s new path. The fossilized maize pollen (a Latin American species) was found in Europe’s marine sediments in 1600,, and has continued to be more prevalent over the years. They wrote that “this irreversible exchange between species fulfills the first criteria to date an epoch-long-term changes in Earth.” In the first few decades after the 1600s began, approximately 50million Amerindians were killed, mostly from smallpox. This Old World disease was the main cause. The “Golden Spike” The scientists discovered a Golden Spike around 1610, which can also be used to date the significant drop in atmospheric CO2 recorded in Antarctica ice-core records. This was due to the Europeans’ arrival in the New World. The death of 50 millions of indigenous peoples was caused by the colonization of Americas. Many of these people died from smallpox during the first ten years of the 16th Century. The abrupt cessation or almost complete stoppage of agriculture across the continent led to the regrowth of Latin American forests, as well as other vegetation that removed atmospheric CO2. The second Golden Spike requirement has been met. According to the authors, the 1610 dip is CO2. Orbis means Latin “World”. The Golden Spike resulted from once disconnected individuals who were then connected globally. Dr. Lewis is the lead author. He said that scientists would be able to look back at the environment record in a hundred thousands years and see something extraordinary happened during the second half the second millennium. These scientists will have no doubts that the global changes in Earth’s environment were caused by their species. “Today, we know when and why these changes occurred. The Anthropocene began probably when species crossed continents. It started when the Old World and the New met. The human race is now considered a geo-power, as earth-changing as meteorites strike. Dr. Lewis said that the historical beginning of modernity was the result of the merger of the Old World and New Worlds. Most historians consider agricultural imports to Europe from the new Americas and the availability of coal as two of the essential precursors to the Industrial Revolution. Prof. Maslin and Dr. Lewis also discussed the benefits of dating the Anthropocene 1964, after the peak of radioactive fallout due nuclear weapons testing. This can be seen in many geological deposits. By the 1960s, scientists could see the human impact on Earth. But, they pointed out that although a nuclear war might alter the Earth in a dramatic way, we haven’t had one. They explained that while the nuclear fallout is an important indicator, it hasn’t been a significant event in terms of Earth-changing events. The Industrial Revolution does not have a “Golden Spike” Some historians, archaeologists and anthropologists suggest that the Industrial Revolution occurred in the late 18th centuries as the beginning date for the Anthropocene. The Industrial Revolution marked an important turning point in human history. This will continue to have long-term effects on our planet’s environment. The authors state that the Industrial Revolution did not produce a Golden Spike. The authors state that most of the impacts were locally occurring at the time. However, the rapid global increase in carbon dioxide wasn’t enough to establish a date. Professor Maslin stated that “a wider recognition of human activities driving profound changes in the environment’s life support infrastructure will impact our philosophical, political, and economic views.” He added that the power humans have is unique and can be used to redraw or modify it. Recognizing our environmental problems is the first step to solving them. The Subcommission of Quaternary Stratigraphy will recommend that the Anthropocene Working Group of the Subcommission of Quaternary Stratigraphy make the official decision about whether or not the Anthropocene be acknowledged. If so, it should be done by next year. Citation: Simon L. Lewis and Mark A. Maslin, “Defining The Anthropocene.” Nature Perspectives. Published 12 February, 2015. DOI:
