We are affecting the Earth
As you know I do not buy into the whole Global warming is our fault thing, but this is an interesting article about Geology and our effect on the sedimentary layer that is being currently created. I think it is a decent argument for a new geologic designation for the current era.
A group of geologists has formally proposed designating a new geologic epoch, the Anthropocene, which would encompass the past 200 years or so of geologic history.
Each stratigraphic layer in the geologic record reflects the conditions of the time it was deposited and offers a glimpse into Earth's past. For example, the Carboniferous period, which lasted from 360 million to 300 million years ago, is known for the vast deposits of coal that formed from jungles and swamps.
Since about 1800, lead concentrations in water and soil have increased dramatically, carbon dioxide has flooded the atmosphere, and dams have trapped untold amounts of sediment. All of these processes now vastly outpace the equivalent natural forces. "A reasonable case can be made for the Anthropocene as a valid formal unit," Zalasiewicz says.
The argument has merit, says geologist Richard Alley of Pennsylvania State University in State College. "In land, water, air, ice, and ecosystems, the human impact is clear, large, and growing," he says. "A geologist from the far distant future almost surely would draw a new line, and begin using a new name, where and when our impacts show up."
I know some of you will say I have turned to the dark side, but read the article. Just so you know I do not advocate changing what we do. I could be reading it wrong,but I believe this article is more for a scientific designation than a call for radical life style change.
posted by davis14633 at 08:06
2 Comments:
"carbon dioxide has flooded the atmosphere..."
Yeah, because all the animals before man didn't exhale. =o/
Here's an idea: how about we let future geologists worry about how they classify the past.
Sorry, Davis; I see this as nothing more than back-door environmental radicalism.
Well, as I said, I could be wrong. Sounded like a valid proposal to me.
My take on humans and the world is of course we affect the environment, but we are part of the "natural" process. Just like the sun, moon, rotation, volcanos, gravity, wind, and yes animals. Everything out there has some affect. Can we stop Global warming/cooling/sidewaysing by recycling and riding bikes everywhere? Not really, but we don't need to fling our Burger King wrapper out the window of the car either. That is just plain unsightly.
I guess the point I was was making is I was agreeing with what Mr. Alley said at the end of the article in that geologists way in the future will probably draw a line in the geologic layers at what would be considerd the start of the industrial revolution. This is not, in my opinion, due to the pollutants we have added, but more due to the massive terra forming we have done. Logging, dams, agriculture, and cities have all affected the sedimentary layer that would have built up had those things not been there. This is not necessarily a good or bad thing, it is just something that will probably be noticable in the geoligic layers in the future. Yes the "scientists" trying to name it now is them being egotistical and I think a product of the modern collegaite atmosphere, "plublish or perish, until tenured that is".Just wanted to clarify that.
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