Source Andrzej Krauze 2 Inquiry Question When did the Anthropocene begin Anthropocene a humandominated geological epoch Popularized by the Dutch atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen in 2000 ID: 1025252
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1. The “Golden Spike”Thinking Critically about the AnthropoceneSource: Andrzej Krauze
2. 2Inquiry QuestionWhen did the Anthropocene begin?
3. Anthropocene... a human-dominated geological epoch.Popularized by the Dutch atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen in 2000 Signified by changing composition of the atmosphere (increased CO2)A new period in which human actions overshadow the quiet persistence of microbes and the endless wobbles and eccentricities in the Earth’s orbit, affecting the governing systems of the Earth, and therefore define the age (McNeill & Engelke, 2014, p. 1).3Defining the Anthropocene
4. Depending on the criteria used, the beginning of the Anthropocene can be dated to different time periods: Human control over fire (1.8 million years ago) Beginnings of agriculture (7-8 thousand years ago) Colonization (Circa 1610) Industrialization (Circa 1800) The Great Acceleration (Mid-20th Century)4Dating the Anthropocene
5. A Geologist’s Approach to Geologic Time5Time is divided by geologists according to marked shifts in Earth’s state.e.g., Holocene (official epoch right now); Pleistocene (”Ice age”)Earth scientists define stages of geologic time with internationally agreed upon reference points.Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) A global marker of an event in stratigraphic material, such as rock, sediment, or glacier ice known as “golden spikes” See specific criteria!Global Standard Stratigraphic Age (GSSA) In the absence of a GSSP, a date agreed upon by committee after a survey of stratigraphic evidenceSource: https://www.naturphilosophie.co.uk/human-versus-nature-golden-spike-anthropocene/
6. What makes a GSSP?6Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP)a principal correlation event (the marker), other secondary markers (auxiliary stratotypes),demonstrated regional and global correlation,complete continuous sedimentation with adequate thickness above and below the marker, an exact location—latitude, longitude and height/depth—because a GSSP can be located at only one place on Earth,be accessible, andhave provisions for GSSP conservation and protection.Source: https://www.naturphilosophie.co.uk/human-versus-nature-golden-spike-anthropocene/
7. A Historian’s Approach to PeriodizationHistorical thinking is the process of interpreting evidence from the past and generating the stories of history. Seixas, P. & Morton, T. (2013). The big six historical thinking concepts. Nelson, p. 2. Historical Significance Continuity and Change Historical Perspectives The Ethical Dimension Cause and Consequence Evidence7Source: The Historical Thinking Project
8. Guidepost 4: Periodization helps us organize our thinking about continuity and change. It is a process of interpretation, by which we decide which events or developments constitute a period of history.8Second Order Concept: Continuity and ChangeAdapted from: Seixas, P. & Morton, T. (2013). The big six historical thinking concepts. Nelson., p.86.
9. Guidepost 2: Change is a process, with varying paces and patterns. Turning points are moments when the process of change shifts in direction or pace.9Second Order Concept: Continuity and ChangeAdapted from: Seixas, P. & Morton, T. (2013). The big six historical thinking concepts. Nelson., p. 86.
10. Guidepost 3: Progress and decline are broad evaluations of change over time. Depending on the impacts of change, progress for one people may be decline for another.10Second Order Concept: Continuity and ChangeAdapted from: Seixas, P. & Morton, T. (2013). The big six historical thinking concepts. Nelson., p. 86.
11. Guidepost 1: Events, people, or developments have historical significance if they resulted in change. That is, they had deep consequences, for many people, over a long period of time.11Second Order Concept: Historical SignificanceAdapted from: Seixas, P. & Morton, T. (2013). The big six historical thinking concepts. Nelson., p. 24.
12. Guidepost 2: Events, people, or developments have historical significance if they are revealing. That is, they shed light on enduring or emerging issues in history or contemporary life.12Second Order Concept: Historical SignificanceAdapted from: Seixas, P. & Morton, T. (2013). The big six historical thinking concepts. Nelson., p. 24.
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14. From the list provided, select a date for the beginning of the Anthropocene that you would like to learn more about. Human control over fire (1.8 million years ago) Beginnings of agriculture (7-8 thousand years ago) Colonization (Circa 1610) Industrialization (Circa 1800) The Great Acceleration (Mid-20th Century)14Activity: When did the Anthropocene begin?
15. Form groups/pairs according to your selection.Examine the provided materials (e.g. timeline, text & quotations, images & graphs) for your selected time period.Develop an argument based on criteria.Record your ideas as a group.Present your “Golden Spike” argument to the class.15Activity: When did the Anthropocene begin?
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17. Why does it matter which date we choose for the Anthropocene’s “Golden Spike”?Which “Golden Spike” is most convincing to you? Why?What is the relevance of history to understanding the climate crisis in the present?In light of our learning during this activity, what role do you think we should play in the climate crisis?How did comparing the various “Golden Spikes” highlight the connections between our understanding of history and how we understand the climate crisis in the present?17Thinking Questions
18. Crutzen, P.J. (2002). Geology of mankind. Nature, 415, 23.Davis, H. & Todd, Z. (2017). On the importance of a date, or decolonizing the Anthropocene. ACME: An International E-Journal for Critical Geographies, 16(4), 761-780. Lewis, S.L. & Maslin, M.A. (2015). Defining the Anthropocene. Nature, 519, 171-180.Malhi, Y. (2017). The concept of the Anthropocene. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 42, 77-104. McNeill, J.R. & Engelke, P. (2014). The Great Acceleration: An environmental history of the Anthropocene since 1945. Harvard University Press.Pyne, S.J. (2014). Firepower. Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment, 21(1), 109-114.Ruddiman, W.F. (2013). The Anthropocene. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 41, 45-68.Seixas, P. & Morton, T. (2013). The big six historical thinking concepts. Nelson.18References & Further Reading
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