Anthropocene

[ an-thruh-puh-seen, an-throp-uh‐ ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a proposed epoch of the Quarternary Period, occurring in the present time, since mid-20th century, when human activity began to effect significant environmental consequences, specifically on ecosystems and climate.

noun

1. the Anthropocene Epoch.

Anthropocene

/ ænˈθrɒpəˌsiːn /

noun

1. the Anthropocene
   a proposed term for the present geological epoch (from the time of the Industrial Revolution onwards), during which humanity has begun to have a significant impact on the environment

Word History and Origins

Origin of Anthropocene¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; anthropo- ( def ) + -cene ( def ); coined in the early 1980s by Eugene F. Stoermer, U.S. biologist (1934–2012), and brought into general use by Paul J. Crutzen ( def ), who coined the word independently. Stoermer and Crutzen collaborated in an article published in 2000 proposing Anthropocene for the current geological epoch

Word History and Origins

Origin of Anthropocene¹

C21: from anthropo- and -cene , coined by Paul Crutzen (born 1933), Nobel-winning Dutch chemist