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We might officially enter the Anthropocene epoch in 2024

Scientific bodies are due to make an official decision in the coming year about whether to declare a new geochronological unit precipitated by the impact of humans on Earth

By Alex Wilkins

26 December 2023

A0XHR7 Fall colored trees reflected off Crawford Lake Ontario Canada — Crawford Lake in Canada has been proposed to mark the start of the Anthropocene
Gaertner/Alamy

WE MIGHT be thrust into an entirely new epoch in 2024, as scientific bodies make an official decision about whether the impact of humans on the planet over the past few decades is enough to mark a new geochronologic unit.

First popularised by meteorologist Paul Crutzen in 2000, the term Anthropocene broadly refers to a time of significant planetary change as a result of human activities, such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels. Some experts believe that…

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