Study Purpose
The Anthropocene is the concept that the Earth has entered a new geological era characterized by human influence on the planet. This idea is gaining popularity in academic circles and the intellectual and diplomatic mainstream (Malhi, 2017). This study offers a comprehensive examination of several published publications on the subject.
Disagreements about when and where the concept first appeared in the geological record are thoroughly investigated, from the prehistoric to the early 1900s. Furthermore, the research examined the concept’s role as a modern ethos and philosophical agitation by studying opinions and objections from geomorphological, environmental, and geoscience disciplines, as well as the humanities and social sciences (Malhi, 2017). Ultimately, characterization involves presenting one’s perspective on the significance of the concept of the Anthropocene.
Anthropocene Examination
The Anthropocene is a great analogy that turns current attitudes into a technological and cultural paradigm. The concept may be a temporary cultural movement or become more permanent if its users employ it in diverse ways, such as being essential to modern ecological ideas (Malhi, 2017). Human activity affects many aspects of the physical globe and the geosphere, which affects our understanding of it and its relationship to the environment.
In anthropocentric terminology, geoengineering aims to mitigate global warming by manipulating natural biological processes (Malhi, 2017). Assessing the Anthropocene makes it easier to recognize how natural and human activity may contribute to long-term climate change. For instance, the combustion of fossil fuels has increased the concentration of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the stratosphere, contributing to human-caused climate change. Therefore, human activity has increased greenhouse gas emissions since the onset of the Anthropocene, contributing to global warming.
Lastly, other distinguishing characteristics of the Anthropocene encompass attention to:
- The pervasiveness and widespread nature of the shift.
- Depletion of biodiversity, species introductions spanning hemispheres, alteration of planetary ecological processes, and massive resource exploitation and waste creation are all aspects of climatic changes that extend beyond global warming.
- Through response mechanisms, the mutual influences between humans and the elements of nature can have global-scale effects, such as climate change.
- A sense that something significant is changing our planet’s work, either now or soon.
The Image of Gaia
Gaia, or the idea that the Earth’s biosphere is one integrated ecosystem that takes care of itself, is not a magical or made-up idea. It is a good concept that may help us see the world more clearly by correcting the misconceptions that plague our present perspective (Midgley, 2000). The most apparent use is in providing suggestions for resolving environmental issues.
As engineers who can alter the way the Earth works, or as random passengers who can potentially destroy the Earth whenever they want, we are already well on our way to this point (Midgley, 2000). Our worries and reasonable solutions are always based on our thoughts about ourselves, our place in the universe, and how we picture those ideas. The present Gaian perspective may be helpful here, as it represents a scientific refinement of an older idea.
Naturally, the creative vision behind the concept of our world as a single body is ancient. Many different civilizations would recognize the naturalness of Plato’s description of the universe as “a unique huge living entity.” We are the agents of change in the universe, but for a lengthy moment, our civilization prevented us from giving this idea any real consideration.
Living in the New Normal
Given the interconnected nature of our time’s other critical social and environmental challenges, from racial prejudice to climate-driven migration to water protection in the North American hinterlands. In addition, the deterioration of our ocean waters to LGBTQ privileges to the rights of indigenous people, change has assumed the mantle of our generation’s central issue (Martinez, 2016). As a species, we will have to deal with all of these challenges for many years and generations to come. An example from BifrostOnline is the claim by environmental activist Martinez that humans and their activities are the main agents of climate change (Martinez, 2016). Human beings should start being activists to push for agendas that should revolutionize the world, since every element of life is influenced by climate change.
References
Malhi, Y. (2017). The concept of the Anthropocene. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 42(1), 77–104. Web.
Martinez. (2016). Why is climate change at the center of your own work as an activist? Bifrost insights. Web.
Midgley, M. (2000). Individualism and the concept of Gaia. Review of International Studies, 26(05). Web.