The acceleration in environmental degradation demands a fundamental shift in thinking on how we understand our relationship with Earth. Since the ‘Great Acceleration’ in 1950, we have seen mass population expansion, rapid urbanisation, and economic activity exploding, resulting in human activity becoming the dominant geological force shaping Earth’s systems, changing the Earth to the point where the Holocene has given way to the proposed geological epoch of the Anthropocene.
While social and technological advancements have improved human well-being, notably in the Global North and elite Global South, they have done so at a devastating cost to the natural world, with the environment degrading in tandem with human acceleration. Carbon dioxide emissions, coastal zone nitrogen flow, and sea level rise have all increased significantly since the 1950s, as have species extinctions, biodiversity loss and rainforest and woodland deforestation. This offers a harsh reality, that humans, through their fossil fuelled way of life, are the primary cause of environmental degradation, to which the Anthropocene argues has transformed into a major force of nature that is altering the dynamics and functioning of Earth.
While the International Commission of Stratigraphy has yet to formally recognise the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch, it serves as more than just a scientific label. It has presented a unique social and political opportunity to rethink, and reframe our approach to the environment and change humanity’s relationship with nature.
The traditional anthropocentric viewpoint, particularly following the colonial expansion of European states, positioned humans as distinct and superior to nature. This perspective encouraged the exploitation of natural resources for unchecked economic growth and technological advancement; a traditional model associated with the use of fossil fuels, land and forest destruction, agricultural commercialisation, and more. The Anthropocene concept seeks to challenge this separation, by underlining humanity’s interconnectedness with the natural environment, as well as the significant impact human actions have on the planet. Recognising the Earth’s constraints and ecological restrictions, the Anthropocene argues for a shift from the paradigm of unchecked growth towards sustainability and the well-being of both humanity and the planet, as advocated in Raworth’s doughnut economics.
With undeniable evidence and a surge in social movements advocating for the Anthropocene as a catalyst for change, our understanding of human impact on environmental degradation has undergone a profound shift. The Anthropocene is now widely recognized as the primary geological force driving global transformations. This recognition has become a cornerstone of international agreements, exemplified by milestones such as the Paris Agreement of 2015 and the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, both heavily influenced by the Anthropocene narrative.
The Paris Agreement, signed by 195 countries, represents a historic change in focus towards mitigating and adapting to human-induced environmental challenges. By committing to limit global warming to below 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels, nations acknowledged the urgent need to address the consequences of human activity on the Earth's climate systems. This landmark agreement represents a concerted effort to tackle the realities of the Anthropocene and to define a sustainable course forward.
Similarly, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, reflects the growing recognition of humanity's profound impact on biodiversity. Amidst unprecedented species extinction rates and ecosystem degradation, the framework aims to halt and reverse nature loss, address biodiversity decline, and restore the global nature agenda. By acknowledging the Anthropocene as a driving force behind these challenges, the framework emphasises the necessity of collective action to preserve Earth's biodiversity for future generations.
Moreover, tangible progress, like the reduction in CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry in the US, UK, and Europe since 2000, underscores the efficacy of collective action informed by the Anthropocene narrative. At the national level, the influence of the Anthropocene narrative is evident in legislative measures and initiatives like Costa Rica's Payment for Environmental Services Program, which has safeguarded vast swathes of forested land. These developments underscore the international acknowledgement of humanity's profound impact on the environment and the imperative of nurturing a healthy planet for future generations.
While the Anthropocene narrative has illuminated human activities’ environmental impact and inspired positive changes, it fails to address escalating environmental degradation effectively. Despite raising awareness, ecosystem threats continue, exemplified by breaching the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold between February 2023 and January 2024. Whilst policies are moving in the right direction, entrenched mindsets, especially concerning consumerism and growth, persist. A problematic dichotomy remains, and humans are still putting ‘us’ against ‘other’ species, notably in capitalist societies. Climate Action Tracker findings show countries must enhance emission reduction targets and implement national policies to meet them adequately. Notably, Climate Pledges from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, and India are highly insufficient. Furthermore, major emitters like China, India, and the US lack urgency in addressing the existential threat facing the planet and humanity.
One possible explanation for this inertia lies in the Anthropocene's overgeneralization. The term "anthro" glosses over crucial inequalities, shielding Western nations and the global elite from accountability despite their historical responsibility for the majority of environmental damage. Shockingly, these affluent sectors consume 74% of excess material globally, and the top 10% of income earners emit double the greenhouse gases compared to the bottom 50%. Paradoxically, those least responsible for environmental degradation often bear the brunt of its consequences, as illustrated by the disproportionate suffering of the poorest and least polluting.
In conclusion, the Anthropocene prompts a vital reconsideration of human-induced environmental degradation. It exposes our domination and manipulation of nature, urging us to reassess our impact. While it spurs positive changes like reduced fossil fuel use and environmental protection measures, it overlooks historical and social causes of degradation. Overgeneralization shields affluent nations from accountability, perpetuating entrenched mindsets. To truly address degradation, we must acknowledge complexities, prioritise equity, and challenge traditional paradigms. By reshaping our relationship with nature and fostering global collective action, The Anthropocene offers a pathway to a more sustainable future.
Author: Daisy Hilton
Course: Masters in Environmental Change and International Development