The Anthropocene is a proposed epoch characterized by human impact on planetary ecosystems. Many scientists now accept the term, but the beginning of the epoch is still debated, often rather vociferously. Some propose that it should start with the industrial revolution two centuries ago, but others point at the agricultural revolution some twelve millennia ago as the proper beginning of Anthropocene. This is where I would place it, too. The agricultural revolution also comes under the name of Neolithic revolution on account of its wide-scale transition from hunting and gathering, which is largely nomadic, to agriculture and sedentary life.

Roughly speaking, the agricultural revolution marks the beginning of human population growth, as well as civilization. Many other species that populated the earth by that time met their end or protracted decline. Interestingly, the last interglacial period also started about twelve-thousand years ago, thus showing the intimate link between the human species and climate. This is an aspect of human development that remains relatively poorly understood, for it is often assumed that humans could do well under any climatic conditions characteristic of the earth.

Which leads me to the end of the Anthropocene that is currently not debated in scientific circles, as though it will continue forever. It will come with climate change combined with the next glaciation period. The human population will precipitously decline, as well, thus drastically reducing the impact of the species on planetary ecosystems. As for climate change and environmental degradation, it has already started, and in earnest. The next glaciation is at most a few thousand years away. The only remaining question is how many Anthropocenes will there be, for the next interglacial period may come in about a hundred-thousand years. The human population is liable to explode again. And again. Slaves of the weather, humans will come back in numbers whenever the climate permits.