ANTHROPOCENE. NEW ERA ALREADY BEGUN?!

 REPRODUCED FROM https://www.ecycle.com.br/antropoceno/

We are living on the threshold of a new Age. Human action has drastically altered the functioning and natural flows of the planet by promoting intense global changes. Several experts claim that we have entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.

FIRST PHASE. This new geological period began around 1800, with the arrival of the industrial society, characterized by the massive use of hydrocarbons (mainly oil for energy production and as a source of raw materials). Since then, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, caused by the combustion of these products, has not stopped growing. The large concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, contributes as a strong aggravating factor to global warming. Thus, it is considered that the first phase of the Anthropocene goes from 1800 to 1945 or 1950 and corresponds, therefore, to the formation of the industrial age.

A major turnaround would have occurred when Scottish inventor James Watt made improvements to the steam engine. This occurred at the end of the eighteenth century, allowing greater efficiency in the process of power generation. This fact contributed to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

EFFECTS. The intense burning of fossil fuels has led to a consequent increase in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The intensification of agricultural practices has led to an increase in the levels of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmosphere. The intensification of fuel use and agricultural activities has also led to the production of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxides (NOx). And once in the atmosphere, these compounds convert to sulfate (SO4) and nitrates (NO3) and cause acidification of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

SECOND PHASE. The second phase runs from 1950 to 2000 or 2015 and has been called "The Great Acceleration." Between 1950 and 2000, the human population doubled from three billion to six billion people. And the number of automobiles went from 40 million to 800 million. In the second phase of the Anthropocene Era (1945-2015), there was a considerable acceleration of human activities on nature. "The great acceleration is in a critical state," Crutzen said, because more than half of the services provided by terrestrial ecosystems are already facing degradation.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL CONFLICTS. We see today an explosive combination between the global dilemmas of the ecological crisis and inequality. A group of two billion people has a high consumption pattern and appropriates the consequent material benefits. While five billion live in poverty and one billion in absolute misery. In this context, conflicts and disasters become imminent.