Geological Time Scale - Anthropocene?
 

Interesting article on scientists debating whether we have entered a new geological time period, one marked by man's effects on geology. It seems the debate hinges, in part, on whether periods should be marked only be geological change or whether human involvement can be included in the considerations.

The earliest time period is marked by the appearance of fossils, i.e. living creatures. It seems to me that humans, also being living creatures, are fair game in the consideration. To leave humans out would appear to put us at a level superior to other living things. I would not be ready to vote to go that far. IMO we are all part of the ecosystem. If we imagine ourselves as independent of other living things then I think we would have what Carl Sagan called an "imagined self-importance" in his Pale Blue Dot speech.

What do you think? Are you more important than snails? Dolphins? Orangutans? Roses?

The scope of the question is a neat exercise between science and philosophy me thinks. :)

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2...ocene-holocene

Carl Sagan's "Pale Blue Dot"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupToqz1e2g

It's entirely possible, given our horrendous overpopulation.

As a Christian I do believe the earth was given to us for our use. That also expects good stewardship.

Pete

I am not holding my breath.:rolleyes:

If this level of stewardship keeps up we might have to Rob! :eek:

Pete

You don't have to be a Christian to believe that shitting in your own mess kit is a bad idea.

Well said! Twice agreed in a week Tom :)

Pete

The earth is not overpopulated. There are large empty spaces in the Americas,
Africa, Australia and Asia.

Siberia too. ;) :D

But the empty space is mostly poorly watered. Without water, land is so useless it might as well not exist. Really, it's just an obstacle that must be traversed to get to water.

It - access to water - is basically a technological challenge which I believe is not huge.

It's being done by many of us throughout the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUnQ4GeUZUA

The solutions I know about:

1) Move surface water from somewhere else to where it's needed. Liable to be expensive, and the surface water is mostly 'spoken for.'

2) Mine fossil water from deep aquifers. Fine until they run out.

3) Desalinate ocean water. Need plenty of energy.

I don't think a technological magic wand solves this problem.

Dozens and dozens, I'll bet. Got anyone in production on a commercial scale and turning a profit?

Tell that to people in LA, or those near what is left of the Aral Sea. Once the supply starts to diminish, it takes little time til it is gone. Witness the mighty Colorado as it roars into Mexico these days.

Or a place for crazy ultra marathoners to get their kicks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3mcZxi-r9U

I'm not aware of any under the extreme conditions as in the link, but there are many using the same Permaculture technics. Mark Shepard's operation runs without additional inputs.
http://www.forestag.com/bio.html

Poor agriculture technics & just a lack of understanding & will to correct the problem.

Damn, DJ. You sound like a Democrat.

Democrats & Republicans know nothing about the subject.

Yet we lefty Californians just voted to spend$7bn to upgrade our storage system here and to regulate aquifer depletion throughout the state.
Red state Arizona? Not so much.

Nice edit.:rolleyes:

Meters on wells is what Ca. doesn't do as well as not having A.M.A,s, but that isn't the topic. The central valley soil is no longer because of bad farming practices.

Big Ag is not eco freindly in any way, shape or form, no matter what their propaganda says.

Since reading A Silent Spring in my youth I've been a rational green.

Time to go out & play in the rain. :)

Watch out for flash floods.