Chapter 17 Wrap Up

STEP ONE

The Word to Know: Anthropocene

Question

Collins English Dictionary defines anthropocene as a term, proposed by scientist Paul Crutzen (and not yet in the Oxford English Dictionary, nor accepted by the American Geological Society), “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.” From the evidence found in Chapter 17, write a paragraph justifying the term “anthropocene” to describe the modern age.