An introduction to sustainability and planetary boundaries

The Anthropocene?

According to most scientists, we have entered a new geological epoch: The Anthropocene. An epoch is a geological timescale separated by significant changes in the global geological record, for example, changes in rock layers.

Imagine a geologist in the distant future. She is looking for significant changes that might indicate the start of the Anthropocene. For example, she could identify the first appearance of plastics, and based on this, date the start of the Anthropocene to the end of the 20th century.

• What other indicators can you think of that she could use?
• Besides your own reaction, reply to the comments of at least 2 others.

In the next step we will discuss the local exercise.