The geological time scale divides the history of Earth into blocks of time known as eras, epochs, periods, and eons. We are currently living in the Holocene epoch, a period that began after the last major ice age, but some scientists believe we have entered a new epoch. The Anthropocene is a proposed epoch that would begin when human activity first started to significantly affect Earth. Supporters of this proposed epoch argue that human activity has caused large changes to the geology and diversity of organisms of Earth, so this period should be documented in the geological time scale.
What do you think? Should human activity should be documented on the geological scale? Why or why not? If the human population were not the size it was today, how would Earth be different? Consider all four spheres—geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere—in your answer.
