Has humanity entered a new geological epoch known as the Anthropocene?
This video captures the closing remarks from a 2012 Smithsonian symposium exploring the profound transformations reshaping our planet. It examines how human activity is fundamentally altering plants, animals, and natural habitats, marking the arrival of a new era.
The symposium, held on October 11, 2012, addressed the 'Age of Man'—a term proposed by geologists to describe the Anthropocene. The discussion integrated diverse perspectives from science, history, art, culture, philosophy, and economics to understand the scale of global change.
The event featured a multidisciplinary lineup, including journalist Charles C. Mann, geoscientist Richard Alley, and filmmaker Chris Jordan. Through presentations and interdisciplinary panel responses, the session facilitated a deep deliberation on the impact of human-driven environmental shifts.
Source: 8. W. John Kress, Closing Remarks - Anthropocene: Planet Earth in the Age of Humans
