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The idea of the Anthropocene, as a geological epoch characterised by the significant impact of humans on the Earth system, traces back to the reflections of scientists like Vladimir Vernadsky and Paul Crutzen. These visionaries recognised that human activities, particularly since the industrial revolution, have globally altered ecosystems and environmental processes. Before humans appeared, the Earth system existed without their dominant presence. The advent of agriculture signified the first substantial human interventions, followed by industrialisation, which exponentially escalated the scale and intensity of human influence.
In this seminar, we explore the impact of human activities on these systems. We will discuss the concept of planetary boundaries that provide a framework identifying ecological limits to maintain balance in the Anthropocene, and talk about innovative mitigation strategies like Carbon Dioxide Removal for negative emissions and geoengineering technologies such as Solar Radiation Management. We will also explore the Post-Anthropocene, examining where the Earth system might evolve without the dominant presence of humans. The seminar aims to develop a hollistic perspective on the Anthropocene by combining sociological, anthropological, and philosophical viewpoints to comprehend the deeper implications and challenges of this Anthropocene. |
