The Anthropocene

In the past 70 years, humans have exceeded the energy consumption of the entire preceding 11,700 years—largely through combustion of fossil fuels. This huge increase in energy consumption, human population, and industrial activity has led to pollution, environmental degradation and climate change.

The #Anthropocene Working Group (AWG), an interdisciplinary group of scientists led by #JaiaSyvitski, has designated the Anthropocene as a new epoch on the Geological Time Scale, characterized by the overwhelming human impact on the Earth.

"We need to work together to reverse these environmental trends and dig ourselves out of it,” said Syvitski. “Society shouldn't feel complacent. Few people who read the manuscript should come away without emotions bubbling up, like rage, grief and even fear.”

[chrisczyzewski]

The majority of scientists that perform the field research and write the papers are in the front seat of the roller coaster that's just hitting the top of the hill. They can see what's coming near and far. Yet they hold back when asked about the future of our planet and the path we're on. No it may not be all doom and gloom, however, the message MUST be blunt and clear without beating around the bush. In being blunt with the people with little or no concept of the theories behind warming, perhaps it will encourage a will to better understanding.

[jongeism]

Thank you for your wonderful Video we are definitely in the Anthropogenic climate change Era John Paul Joseph CRUTZEN is my Teacher.

[braeburn]

Great discussion. Thank you. At about 19 minutes you discussed "good" verses "bad" and seemed inconclusive about whether something is good or bad. I think it all depends on your allegiance. Are you on the side of humanity, in which case, mega cities are a "good" thing. If your allegiance is on the side of Gaia, then mega cities are a bad thing. Its a tough decision to make.

Sometimes what is good for humanity is also good for Gaia and in that case it doesn't matter which side you are philosophically and emotionally are alligned with. But in the case of mega cities or tar sands, what is "good" for humanity is very bad for Gaia.

I switched my allegiance to Gaia a long time ago. I have worked to rearrange my life to lower my ecological footprint because my allegiance switched. I've lowered it by 80% so far, and hope to continue lowering it. Interestingly, by consuming much less industrially made goods, and by becoming more self sufficient my health has improved. Its lowered my stress and increased my financial security. I have much more free time and can use my creativity and effort to work on building my dreams on the permaculture farm I'm creating. By switching my allegiance to Gaia, my personal and spiritual life has become much better. Its not a burden to live sustainably, its a blessing. When enough humans switch their allegiance to Gaia instead of humanity, then we will begin to heal the damage our species has done to this beautiful living space ship.

[jonathanwest]

A good analogy of Roman cement use and worldwide industrial use of Portland cement is the difference between someone urinating into a river compared to dumping untreated city sewage into that river. It's a magnitude of scale.

[richdiana]

Nature is our Master who is approaching hard times of our making. No one escapes.

[earlgibbs]

Fascinating research on the former tribal survival energy of humankind shifting to sedentary civilization energy and its consequences on the earth system today. As part of human geography and nature, it would also be beneficial to study the psychological and sociological changes that have happened as a result of this shift in order to problem solve the dire climate predicament homo sapiens now find themselves in. It appears that our species will need to readapt, tapping into our inherent survival energy on a global scale in order to mitigate this self-imposed existential crisis challenging the full extent of our human creativity.

[richdiana]

I'm a non-breeding tree hugger living on 5 rewilded acres in a deeply rural area with the Amish. My footprint is still adding to the increase. The predicament is legion.

[Monkeybongoes]

"It's not all doom and gloom" is kind of like "but I'm optimistic". How can anyone be reasonably well informed, objective and realistic, and still be optimistic?
Seems pretty clear we're going to run out of time before significantly addressing our fossil fuel addiction, never mind overpopulation.

[joeanthony]

The average person has no conception, much less comprehension of how human activity affects the Earth's biosphere, ecosystem or anything else...in fact many don't believe it or don't care. That's just plain sad.

[doughiggins]

Consider all the hot points...war and sanctions....almost all over oil. The insanity goes on.

[elfboi]

There is no Anthropocene, only the anthropic Event. what we've been doing is unsustainable, which means it will end very soon, one way or another. For a proper Anthropocene, our industrial activities would have to continue for ages, forming a thick layer of rock, but we're just a thin boundary layer between two eras with different biospheres, just like the K-T boundary layer.

[ttmallard]

Just to add, humans created the Holocene mainly with deforestation, accepted & honored by geologists only recently, ~a decade ago, forgotten the name of the scientist, kinda like Bretz Floods not being accepted till his 80's.

[FacingFuture]

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[patricialongo]

Optimistic or fired. Positive and happy or jobless.

[willmpet]

The "Great Acceleration" began in 1950!

[brianbennett]

Thank you for your work Stuart. I love these episodes with Jaia and your referencing.
It’s not looking good for the human race is it?So much ignorance, denial, greed and lack of mindfulness. I don’t see us changing course... do you?
Keep up your good work🙏

[margaretbeasley]

Facing Future will continue Stuart Scott’s work. Facing Future welcomes comments. Please be concise. Ultra long comments will be deleted.

[Interglacial_optimist]

How many horses pulled Caesar's Chariot .... Because my Chariot is pulled by 300 horse powered engine

[koerierkoerier]

please whi has the knowledge to put the puzzle togheter

[channelwarhorse]

To generate jet stream make it RAIN!! Desalination pump to pipe sounds great to me. For all trees !!