Debate about the Anthropocene: Researchers reject the designation of a new geological era. Leading geoscientists are against proclaiming the human era.
The debate was initiated by Nobel Prize winner in chemistry Paul Crutzen in 2002. The core idea behind the proposed new age is the massive influence of humanity on the environment since industrialization, which will still be detectable by geologists in the distant future. Scientists will continue to use the term “Anthropocene” regardless of what this panel decides.