I would definitely vote to define the epoch we are in now as the Anthropocene. Not only is there evidence to support it, but it also sends the message that we have a major impact on the earth, and a responsibility to be aware of it. Often, epochs mark periods of great extinction, in the Anthropocene epoch, humans have caused a lot of animals to go extinct by hunting or by ruining a species habitat. The fossil record will show the loss of species from this epoch. The rock record will changed by our buildings, because as “it turns out most cities are not good candidates for long-term preservation” (Kolbert, pg 2), the man-made materials from our buildings will show up in the rocks in the future.. The change in our atmosphere will show up in ice samples, all of these are caused by humans. I don’t think the date the Anthropocene began is particularly important, for now we can say it started in 1700s.
People going with the beliefs of their peers is a big problem. But I don’t think the solution has to be complicated. The more that people talk about the dangers of climate change, the likelier it will be for someone to be convinced by someone they respect. But, more important that is to get politicians to believe in the dangers of climate change. Politicians can implement policies we need to reduce our impact on the environment, and they can also be leaders, that can convince the public and leaders of other countries that climate change is a problem.
I love your positivity on the matter. I’m much more of a pessimist when it comes to our ability to “fix” climate change! I agree that we are very much in the age of the Anthropocene, and denying it is silly. I was very inspired by Dr. Whitlock’s approach at speaking with people about climate change in Montana. Stereotypically, one would assume that the country bumpkins of Montana would be climate change deniers but because Dr. Whitlock spent the time getting to know their needs in advance, her research was tailored to their interests/needs and thus well received. I believe that this strategy is one of very few ways for actual change to occur in the United States. Nice job!