Scientists say we are now in the Anthropocene age – a geological era dominated by human activity
A group of researchers argued that radioactive elements will define the epoch, and the official status should be adopted within a few years.
Scientists on Monday said humanity's impact on the earth was so overwhelming that it calls for a new geological era. The Working Group on the "Anthropocene", a team of British researchers, recommended this to the International Geological Congress in Cape Town. According to them, the Anthropocene period should begin around 1950 and is defined by the radioactive elements spread around the earth by nuclear bomb tests.
According to The Guardian, the group suggested that residue from power stations, plastic pollution and even the fossils of domestic chickens may be considered other defining elements of the time. Professor Jan Zalasiewicz, a geologist at the University of Leicester and chairperson of the group, said, “We are spoiled for choice. There are so many signals." He added that the significance of the Anthropocene epoch is that it sets a different trajectory for the earth.
Chris Rapley, a climate scientist at University College London and former director of the Science Museum in London, said the Anthropocene period is one during which "the collective human activities dominate the planetary machinery." Martin Rees, the astronomer royal and former president of the Royal Society, said the Anthropocene era is both negative and positive news. He said that while the darkest prognosis for the next millennium is that catastrophes could prevent humanity’s potential, humans could also "navigate these threats and achieve a sustainable future."
Among the 35 scientists on the WGA, 30 voted in favour of formally designating the Anthropocene era, three were against it and two were absent. They will now determine the signals that are the strongest and sharpest and decide a location that will define the start of the era. This will take about two to three years and once that is done, it will be formally submitted to the stratigraphic authorities. According to the scientists, the Anthropocene period could officially be adopted within a few years. If this happens, the period will be the first new geological epoch in more than 11,700 years.