The Anthropocene, which is a proposed geological epoch in which natural earth processes have been shaped by humans, has hit the rocks, The Global Warming Policy Forum reported Sunday.
The proposed epoch in the geologic time scale first gained traction in 2008, when an article published in the Geological Society of America put forth the notion that humans were altering atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, biospheric and other earth system processes.
Since then, Anthropocene has gained widespread attention amid increasing concerns of global warming, but the International Commission on Stratigraphy, which is the global body charged with naming geological eras, has rejected the proposal.
Instead, the governing body has decided to split up the Holocene Epoch, which is the current period of geologic time, into three different geological ages primarily shaped by natural factors, The Global Warming Policy Forum said.
A paper published by the Geological Society of America, raised the question on whether the Anthropocene should be approved by the ICS, pointing out that the drive to officially recognize the geological epoch around human impact may be political rather than scientific.
However, Graham Lloyd, the environment editor of the Australian, noted that the ICS’ decision comes as a blow to those campaigning for action on climate change.
Last week a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences gained widespread attention after stating that the planet was at risk of entering "hothouse earth" conditions.
Scientists said that, even if the carbon emission reductions called for in the Paris Agreement are met, this "hothouse" climate could eventually stabilize at a global average of 4 to 5 degrees higher than pre-industrial temperatures, with sea levels creeping up to 10 to 60 meters higher than today.
Drawing upon the study, the authors called for a quicker transition toward an emission-free world economy.
"The knowledge that human activity now rivals geological forces in influencing the trajectory of the Earth System has important implications for both Earth System science and societal decision making," the paper said of the rejection of Anthropocene as a new geological epoch.
"While recognizing that different societies around the world have contributed differently and unequally to pressures on the Earth System and will have varied capabilities to alter future trajectories, the sum total of human impacts on the system needs to be taken into account for analyzing future trajectories of the Earth System."
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