The Anthropocene

The theory is simple: Scientists at the Geological Society of London are proposing that Sufficient evidence has emerged of stratigraphically significant change (both elapsed and imminent) for recognition of the Anthropocene—currently a vivid yet informal metaphor of global environmental change—as a new geological epoch to be considered for formalization by international discussion.

In other words: the Holocene Epoch is over thanks to 1) Transformed patterns of sediment erosion and deposition worldwide, 2) Major disturbances to the carbon cycle and global temperature, 3) Wholesale changes to the world’s plants and animals, 4) Ocean acidification .

It's all here.

(Meanwhile, Save Our Surf is protesting outside our office this morning. While I agree with them, they really do need to work on their protest chants. None of us can figure out what they are saying ... it sounds something like No Big Quacking).