Are we entering the Anthropocene, the era defined by human impact?
This video captures the summation of a 2012 Smithsonian symposium exploring the profound transformations occurring across Earth's habitats. It examines the emergence of the Anthropocene—the 'Age of Man'—through the interdisciplinary lenses of science, history, and economics.
The Smithsonian Institution's Grand Challenges Consortia convened experts to debate the arrival and consequences of this new geological epoch. The discussion addressed how human activity is reshaping plants, animals, and natural environments.
The presentation features insights from a diverse group of specialists, including journalist Charles C. Mann, geosciences professor Richard Alley, and filmmaker Chris Jordan. The symposium, summarized by former US Senator Timothy E. Wirth, utilized an interdisciplinary panel to deliberate on the complex scientific, cultural, and philosophical implications of planetary change.
Source: 7. The Honorable Timothy E. Wirth, Summation - Anthropocene: Planet Earth in the Age of Humans
