Anthropocene
The Anthropocene: the period in which human activity is transforming the planet
Human activity has profoundly transformed the planet, changing ecosystems, the climate and the distribution of natural resources. A study published in the journal Nature estimated that, around 2020, the mass of human-made materials exceeded the planet’s biomass. This milestone reflects the scale of the transformation that human activity has brought about on Earth. We explore the key characteristics of the Anthropocene and its effects on the environment.
Anthropogenic mass – made up of buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, manufactured products and other human-made materials – has grown rapidly, particularly since the mid-20th century. This increase is closely linked to population growth, urban expansion, technological development and a rise in production and consumption.
A study published in Nature
Enlace externo, se abre en ventana nueva. indicated that this milestone was reached in 2020, when anthropogenic mass exceeded biomass for the first time. This finding helps illustrate the scale of the transformation that human activity has brought about on the planet.
What is anthropocene?
Given the changes humans are causing to the planet’s climate and biodiversity, the term Anthropocene is used to describe the period in which human activity has acquired a decisive influence on the Earth’s system. It is not currently recognised as a formal geological epoch within the geological time scale.
The concept of the Anthropocene – from the Greek anthropos, meaning human, and kainos, meaning new – was popularised in 2000 by Dutch chemist Paul Crutzen, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995. He used it to describe a period characterised by the growing influence of human activity on Earth.
"I was at a conference and someone said something about the Holocene. Suddenly, I thought that term was wrong. The world had changed too much. No, I said, we are in the anthropocene"
Paul Crutzen, Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner in 1995
The use of the term Anthropocene to describe the impact of human activity on Earth remains the subject of scientific debate, particularly regarding its definition and when it should be considered to have begun. Proposed starting points include the Industrial Revolution and the period of accelerated change that began in the mid-20th century.
Characteristics and causes of the anthropocene
The anthropocene is mainly characterised by three factors: the technological progress that sped up after the First Industrial Revolution, the explosive growth in population thanks to improvements in food, health and hygiene, and the multiplication of production and consumption.
The interaction of these three factors in human evolution has led to a growing increase in the consumption of natural, mineral and fossil resources, as well as the expansion of farmland, cities and transport infrastructure and routes. These are the main human activities that have changed the face of the planet over the last two centuries.
The shock of anthropocene. Environmental effects
The increase in anthropogenic mass to the detriment of biomass has pernicious effects on the planet. The most relevant ones are mentioned below.
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Climate change
During the Holocene, relatively stable temperatures allowed humans to settle in cities and develop agriculture, trade and communication networks. However, the growing accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, caused by human activity and primarily by the burning of fossil fuels, is intensifying the greenhouse effect and thus contributing to climate change, the main consequences of which seriously threaten global stability.
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Deforestation
Deforestation, driven primarily by the conversion of forests to agricultural and livestock farming uses, is one of the main ways in which terrestrial ecosystems are altered. Alongside climate change, land conversion for agriculture and livestock farming is a major driver of deforestation worldwide.
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Loss of biodiversity
Biodiversity loss is one of the main consequences of human activity on ecosystems. As a result, scientists are now talking about a sixth extinction, this time, caused by human activity in contrast to the previous five—caused by meteorites and volcanic eruptions.
How to minimise the impact of the anthropocene? Solutions
Key trends to minimise the impact of human activity on the environment include:
- Decarbonising the economy. The drive towards renewable energy and smart networks, as well as the electrification of transport, are key to reducing the carbon footprint and making a transition to the decarbonised economy the planet needs.
- The circular economy. Reuse, repair and recycle, increasing responsible manufacturing and consumption, allows us to reduce waste, save energy and reduce environmental damage.
- Protecting biodiversity. We need action plans to protect biodiversity. They are crucial to safeguarding the functioning of ecosystems and for ensuring food security.
- Protection of water resources. Reducing the water footprint of individuals and businesses, as well as preventing pollute water, is essential to preserving this natural resource, on which all forms of life depend and whose availability is threatened in many regions.