JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2020

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[E] Oral

U (Union ) » Union

[U-01] Great Debate: Geoscience and societal leadership in support of planetary stewardship

Wed. Jul 15, 2020 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Ch.1

convener:Fumio Inagaki(Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), William F McDonough(Department of Earth Science and Research Center for Neutrino Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan), Susanne Buiter(Geological Survey of Norway), Chairperson:Fumio Inagaki(Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), William F McDonough(Department of Earth Science and Research Center for Neutrino Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan)

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

[U01-01] Challenges of the Anthropocene

*Will Steffen1 (1.Climate Council of Australia)

The Anthropocene is a unique point in time, where human history collides with Earth history. This talk will explore the origins of the Anthropocene, both as a concept and a term. Using Earth System and geological/stratigraphic frameworks, we’ll outline the trajectory of the Anthropocene in the context of recent and longer term Earth history, with a focus on both the physical climate system and the biosphere. However, it is humanity that now plays the dominant role in the trajectory of the Earth System, which demands an exploration of the human dimensions of the Earth System. As we look to possible future directions of the planet in the Anthropocene, a clear picture is yet to emerge. Where on Earth are we going?