Definition of the Anthropocene
In her research into human impact on the environment, Kolbert asserts that we are on the verge of triggering the sixth mass extinction in the planet’s history. Species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate due to climate change and the diminishing quantity of habitat left to preserve them. In chapter 5 of the book “The Sixth Extinction,” Kolber (2014) introduces the concept of Anthropocene. Firstly, she acknowledges that the term Anthropocene was invented by Paul Crutzen, a Dutch chemist who shared a Nobel prize for discovering the effects of ozone-depleting compounds (Kolbert, 2014). Kolbert defines Anthropocene as a situation or period dominated by human activities that adversely impact the environment, constituting a distinct geological change.
The Evidence of Anthropocene Effects on the Oceans
Chapters 6 and 7 of Kolbert’s book demonstrate that the Anthropocene adversely affects the ocean. These effects include increased acid levels in ocean water, consequently threatening ocean life and coral reefs (Kolbert, 2014). Moreover, acidification may interfere with metabolic processes, enzyme activity, and protein function, depending on how well organisms can manage their internal chemistry. Anthropocene is thus destined to cause a reduction in biodiversity. It will modify the availability of essential nutrients like iron and nitrogen by altering the composition of microbial populations.
More importantly, Anthropocene, through acidification, impacts oceans by reducing coral reefs. Reefs are comparable to rainforests on land. They serve as a vast ecosystem for ocean life, and destroying these reefs would thus mean far-reaching consequences. According to Kolbert (2014), an average of nine million species spend at least part of their lives in coral reefs. Ideally, the co-evolutionary venture has been underway for many geologic epochs. However, scientists are concerned that the coral reefs will not last until the Anthropocene, as they will be among the first ecosystems to go ecologically extinct in the modern era.
The world is currently in the Anthropocene epoch of Earth’s history, distinguished by species’ widespread extinction and near-extinction due to human interference. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and destroying forest reserves are gradually but steadily causing climate change. Climate change has substantially altered the ocean’s temperature and acidity. As a result, ocean life and coral reefs will either have to adapt to these new conditions or go extinct.
Reference
Kolbert, E. (2014). The sixth extinction: An unnatural history. A&C Black.