The Human Planet How We Created the Anthropocene

About this book

Meteorites, methane, mega-volcanoes and now human beings; the old forces of nature that transformed Earth many millions of years ago are joined by another: us. Our actions have driven Earth into a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. For the first time in our home planet's 4.5-billion year history a single species is dictating Earth's future.

To some the Anthropocene symbolises a future of superlative control of our environment. To others it is the height of hubris, the illusion of our mastery over nature. Whatever your view, just below the surface of this odd-sounding scientific word, the Anthropocene, is a heady mix of science, philosophy, religion and politics linked to our deepest fears and utopian visions. Tracing our environmental impact through time to reveal when humans began to dominate Earth, Simon Lewis and Mark Maslin show what the new epoch means for the future of humanity, the planet

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Biography

Simon L. Lewis is Professor of global change science at University College London and the University of Leeds. An award-winning scientist he has been described as having 'one of the world's most influential scientific minds'. He has written for the Guardian newspaper and Foreign Policy magazine.

Mark A. Maslin is Professor of climatology at University College London, a Royal Society Industrial Fellow, and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Scholar. He is the author of over 150 scientific articles, eight books and over 60 popular scientific articles including for The Times and New Scientist.