VOA科学技术2023--Anthropocene: New Human Epoch

Anthropocene: New Human Epoch¹

Since the middle of the 20th century, humans have had a very strong effect on planet Earth. These effects have included climate change, species loss and pollution. Humanity's impact has been so strong that scientists say a new geological epoch began then.

The scientists call it the Anthropocene epoch. The word comes from the Greek terms for "human" and "new." This epoch started sometime between 1950 and 1954, the scientists say.

There is evidence worldwide of the harmful impact on the Earth's health of burning fossil fuels, dropping nuclear weapons and releasing fertilizers and plastics on land and in water.

"It's quite clear that the scale of change has intensified² unbelievably and that has to be human impact," said University of Leicester geologist³ Colin Waters. He led the Anthropocene Working Group.

The scientists say the power of humans is comparable with the meteorite⁴ that crashed into Earth 66 million years ago. The meteorite killed off the dinosaurs⁵ and started the Cenozoic Era, or what is known as the age of mammals. While that meteorite started a whole new era, the working group is proposing that humans only started a new epoch. An epoch is a much smaller geological time period.

The scientists are proposing a small but deep lake outside of Toronto, Canada, to place a historic marker. The lake is called Crawford Lake. The group aims to decide on an exact start date of the Anthropocene by measuring plutonium levels at the bottom of Crawford Lake.

Crawford Lake is 29 meters deep and 24,000 square meters wide. It was chosen over 11 other sites because the yearly effects of human activity on the earth's soil, atmosphere and biology are clearly shown in its layers of sediment⁶. That includes everything from the effect of nuclear weapons to pollution to rising temperatures.

There are clear signs in Crawford Lake showing that, starting in 1950, "the effects of humans overwhelm the Earth system," said Francine McCarthy. She is part of the working group who specializes in that site as an Earth sciences professor at Brock University in Canada.

The Anthropocene shows the power — and hubris⁷ — of humankind, several scientists said. Hubris is a great or foolish amount of confidence.

"The hubris is in imagining that we are in control," said former U.S. White House science adviser⁸ John Holdren. He was not part of the working group of scientists. He disagrees with the group's proposed start date. Instead, he wants one much earlier. Holdren said the power of humans to change the environment is far greater than their understanding of the impacts.

Geologists⁹ measure time in eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages, with eons being the longest. The scientific working group is proposing that Anthropocene Epoch followed the Holocene Epoch. Holocene started about 11,700 years ago at the end of an ice age.

The proposal still needs to be approved by three different groups of geologists. It could be signed at a major conference next year.

Naomi Oreskes is a science historian with Harvard University and a working group member. She said if there is no change to harmful human activities, "we are headed for tragedy."

Words in This Story

species — n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

impact — n. a powerful or major influence or effect

geology — n. a science that studies rocks, layers of soil, etc., in order to learn about the history of the Earth and its life

epoch — n. a period of time that is very important in history

fertilizer — n. a substance that is added to soil to help the growth of plants

scale — n. : a device that is used for weighing people or things

meteorite — n. a piece of rock or metal that has fallen to the ground from outer space

sediment — n. material that sinks to the bottom of a liquid

overwhelm — v. to cause to have too many things to deal with

 

hubris — n. a great or foolish amount of pride or confidence

1 epoch   

n.(新)时代；历元

参考例句：

• The epoch of revolution creates great figures.革命时代造就伟大的人物。
• We're at the end of the historical epoch,and at the dawn of another.我们正处在一个历史时代的末期，另一个历史时代的开端。

2 intensified   

v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Violence intensified during the night. 在夜间暴力活动加剧了。
• The drought has intensified. 旱情加剧了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 geologist   

n.地质学家

参考例句：

• The geologist found many uncovered fossils in the valley.在那山谷里，地质学家发现了许多裸露的化石。
• He was a geologist,rated by his cronies as the best in the business.他是一位地质学家，被他的老朋友们看做是这门行当中最好的一位。

4 meteorite   

n.陨石；流星

参考例句：

• The meteorite in Jilin Exhibition Hall is believed to be the largest in the world.吉林展览馆的陨石被认为是世界上最大的。
• The famous Murchison meteorite smashed into the Australian ground in 1969.1969年著名的默奇森陨石轰然坠落在澳大利亚。

5 dinosaurs   

n.恐龙( dinosaur的名词复数 )；守旧落伍的人，过时落后的东西

参考例句：

• The brontosaurus was one of the largest of all dinosaurs. 雷龙是所有恐龙中最大的一种。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. 恐龙绝种已有几百万年了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 sediment   

n.沉淀，沉渣，沉积(物)

参考例句：

• The sediment settled and the water was clear.杂质沉淀后，水变清了。
• Sediment begins to choke the channel's opening.沉积物开始淤塞河道口。

7 hubris   

n.傲慢，骄傲

参考例句：

• There is no safety in unlimited technological hubris.在技术方面自以为是会很危险。
• The very hubris of French claims alarmed the other powers.法国贪婪的胃口使其他大国惊恐不安。

8 adviser   

n.劝告者，顾问

参考例句：

• They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
• Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。

9 geologists   

地质学家，地质学者( geologist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Geologists uncovered the hidden riches. 地质学家发现了地下的宝藏。
• Geologists study the structure of the rocks. 地质学家研究岩石结构。