There is an idea being floated in scientific circles that we need to name a new geological age to take account of the period when humans are having a large impact on nature, and the term Anthropocene is being used to describe this period.
It isn’t accepted as yet by scientists, and we are still classified as living in the Holocene period, but it does serve to emphasise a very serious matter: the impact humans are having is changing things quite drastically on earth, and we need to name it.
This film from the Dutch Backlight series looks at developments that are happening around the globe and talks to some of the people who are using, or discussing this term, including geologist Phil Gibbard from Cambridge University and the French philosopher, Bruno Latour.
The film travels and explores projects designed either to measure, or to change the way we are interacting with our planet, and then asks for an assessment from the experts.
The film below is recorded in three languages (English, French and Dutch), but there are subtitles available via the settings tab (a cog wheel on the lower right of the video), with subtitles in English, French and Spanish.
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to see an album of stills click here