The Anthropocene

What is the Anthropocene? What does it mean for our collective future? In these lessons, explore historical examples of human impacts on the environment, and the implications of our current resource consumption over the next century.

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The Anthropocene
Lesson 9.2
Big History Project
Acceleration
The Anthropocene
At no point in history has any species had as profound an impact on its environment as humans. Some experts say this fact defines a new epoch—the Anthropocene. How will our activities on Earth effect the future of our own species and all others?
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The Environment in an Age of Intense Globalization
Lesson 9.5
1750 to Present
Globalization
The Environment in an Age of Intense Globalization
Two truths: Globalization increased exponentially after World War II. Many “natural disasters” are the result of human activity. Whether or not we’re officially in a new epoch, we must understand the connection between humans and the environment.
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Lesson 1.1
Climate Project
Introduction to Climate Change
Understanding Climate Change
There’s no simple definition for climate change, but a shared understanding is crucial to addressing it. Exploring what climate change means is the first step to addressing it.
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Lesson 2.1
Climate Project
The Impacts of Climate Change
Evaluating Climate Impacts
Understanding the impacts of climate change is the first step in addressing them. How is climate change affecting us?
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Featured Materials

Crash Course: The Anthropocene and the Near Future
Crash Course: Anthropocene
Video

Crash Course: The Anthropocene and the Near Future

Why should the modern era be reclassified as the Anthropocene? The Greens provide some evidence for how humans have changed the Earth in the last 250 years.
The Anthropocene
Aerial view of retreating glacial ice
Article

The Anthropocene

A Nobel Prize-winning chemist suggested that humans have altered the planet and brought on a new epoch. He named it the Anthropocene.

Population and Environmental Trends, 1880 to the Present
Steam and exhaust rise from different companies on a cold winter day in Oberhausen, Germany
Article

Population and Environmental Trends, 1880 to the Present

Our changing climate is one of the most talked-about current events. It’s a story that started with industrialization, but we’re in the middle of it. We control how it ends.
Small Parts, Big Impacts
Infographic

Small Parts, Big Impacts

Greenhouse gas emissions are increasing the concentration of CO2 and other gases in the atmosphere. This infographic dives into the big impacts that even small changes can have.
Data Exploration: How Do We Know Climate Change Is Real?
Article

Data Exploration: How Do We Know Climate Change Is Real?

In this article, you’ll dig into four charts about global temperature anomaly, CO2 emissions, and the correlations between them.
The World in 2050
Activity

The World in 2050

What will the world look like in 2050? Make a prediction, but of course… back it up with evidence!

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