ENVS4200 - The anthropocene: Human-dominated Earth

How much have humans altered the planet they live on? Beyond climate change, humans have altered the Earth's land, oceans and biosphere to such an extent that the concept of a new geologic epoch defined by the action of humans is seriously debated. This seminar will examine the origins of the Anthropocene, the ways in which humans have altered Earth systems, whether or not these alterations warrant a new geologic designation, and what the future potentially holds for both humans and the planet.