http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23124483-12332,00.html
Scientists argue for redraw of Earth's time line
A HEATED scientific row is brewing as British geoscientists lead a push to establish a new chapter in the history of Earth - one based on human activity.
Led by geologist Jan Zalasiewicz, of the University of Leicester, the rabble-rousers argue that changes wrought since the Industrial Revolution 200 years ago are so profound they are now visible in the physical and living fabric of the planet.
As a result, they have called for the creation of a new Epoch in the official geological time scale, one they have named the Anthropocene.
Along with Eons, Eras, Periods and Ages, Epochs are classifications of Earth history based on characteristic changes in the layers, or strata, of rocks.
Writing in the latest issue of GSA Today, a publication of the Geological Society of America, Dr Zalasiewicz and 20 like-minded experts claim there is "sufficient evidence" of human-induced changes to plants, animals, oceans and lands to warrant recognition of the Anthropocene by the official geological time lords, the International Commission on Stratigraphy. Their proposal came at the same time as the American Geophysical Union at the weekend released its updated position on climate change.
As the AGU represents the largest society of Earth and space scientists, the statement lent weight to the case for the Anthropocene. In its position, posted online, the AGU says: "The Earth's climate is now clearly out of balance and is warming. With climate change ... the human footprint on Earth is apparent."
Detailed scientific arguments for designation of the Anthropocene are expected to be thrashed out in August at the 33rd International Geological Congress meeting in Oslo, Norway.
"I'll be there," said Jim Gehling, a geologist with the South Australian Museum in Adelaide.
And he'll be barracking against the new Epoch.
"This is just the vanity of the human species ... it matters to us but is irrelevant to the planet," Dr Gehling said.
"We don't need a geological Epoch to describe a single historical event, however long- or short-lasting it might be."
Technorati tags: Science, Education, Community, Radio, Canberra, Australia
2 comments:
Interesting....
Given that human's write stuff for humans, I don't mind that its vanity. If we knew more about previous epochs we'd probably subdivide them also ;) after all what's with all the dino focus as a 'big extinction' when there were bigger ones earlier? because dinosaurs interest us and mammals ('our ancestors') were around...
I agree - the division of the Earth's history will always be intrinsically anthropocentric. I think there is a good point for this "Anthropocene" - we have changed the dynamics of this world enormously, not just in terms of climate but also in terms of landscape. No matter where you go, the landscape shows evidence of having been tampered with by humans to some degree. Ecosystem change has also led to extinction of and threats to countless animal and plant species (yep countless, since we don't even know how many species exist on this planet, let alone how many have been affected by us). The significance of this change justifies a new epoch in recognition... I reckon...
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