The Anthropocene has been proposed as a new epoch in the Earth’s history, during which humankind has changed the planetary environment with the intensity and scale of a geological force (Crutzen, 2002). The idea has been embraced by many disciplines, from natural sciences to philosophy and culture. As consequences, its interpretation has varied widely, and responses have ranged from pessimistic to pragmatic and even opportunistic. This session addresses questions about the scientific foundation and timescale as well as the societal implications of the Anthropocene. We solicit contributions from all subdisciplines represented in the AGU that help define, document the extent, and suggest applications of, the Anthropocene concept.

P.J. Crutzen, Geology of mankind, Nature 415, 23 (2002).