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Glite Dictionary
🌍 Human-influenced era 👣 Human-caused
Anthropocene

Anthropocene

8.9
Relating to changes people cause to Earth's climate and environment
  • adjective
  • /ˌænθrəˈpoʊsiːn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : antropocénico
  • The Anthropocene era is characterized by significant human impact on the Earth's geology and ecosystems.

Examples

  • Becoming energy smart is another Anthropocene challenge with global warming now taking off and efficiency can do only so and so much.

  • Many scientists argue that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of the Anthropocene.

  • As we enter the Anthropocene, it is crucial to reconsider our relationship with nature and the resources we use.

Synonyms

anthropogenic
vsAnthropocene
  • Specialized
17 9.1

Change or pollution caused by human activity

emphasizes significant impact on Earth's environment and ecosystems
anthropogenetic
vsAnthropocene
  • Specialized
9.7

Caused by people rather than by nature

is limited to cases with significant effects on Earth's environment

Surface Forms

Anthropocene positive

Morphology

Anthropocene = anthropo + cene

Same formation as the noun: composed of Greek combining forms for 'human' + the geological '-cene' suffix; understandable in concept but not fully transparent to learners unfamiliar with these combining forms.

Etymology

Anthropocene as an adjective comes from the Greek parts anthropos ('human') and -cene ('new era'), like in anthropology and Holocene. So to call something Anthropocene is to say it is 'caused by' or 'connected to' the big changes people have made to the Earth.