The meaning of the Anthropocene: why it matters even without a formal geological definition

Even though geologists have rejected the designation of an Anthropocene epoch, the idea of a major planetary transition in the mid-twentieth century remains useful across physical and social sciences, the humanities and policy. Even though geologists have rejected the designation of an Anthropocene epoch, the idea of a major planetary transition in the mid-twentieth century remains useful across physical and social sciences, the humanities and policy. Credit: Bob Krist/Getty Crowds of people moving through a shopping street in Shanghai