Why is the idea of the Anthropocene so contentious?

The renowned scientist Paul Crutzen expressed his frustration with the Holocene 24 years ago. This epoch had lasted for 11,700 years, but Crutzen believed it was time for a change. Having won a Nobel Prize for his work on the ozone layer, Crutzen saw how human activities were reshaping the planet. At a conference, after hearing about the Holocene once again, he boldly declared the dawn of a new era: the Anthropocene. This idea, suggesting that humans were now a geological force, sparked a powerful conversation. Since Crutzen’s groundbreaking statement, the concept of the Anthropocene has spread widely throughout various fields. Although the formal designation of this new epoch has been debated by experts on the matter, the impact of human activities on the planet remains significant. The quest to solidify the Anthropocene as an official epoch has faced challenges, with disagreements over the starting date and implications of such a designation. While the debate continues among scholars, the essence of the Anthropocene as a symbol of human impact on Earth will persist, regardless of its formal classification.