The Anthropocene: The Human Era and How It Shapes Our Planet

In The Anthropocene, environmental journalist Christian Schwägerl investigates our current ecological circumstances, and discovers something hopeful: that we already possess the scientific, philosophical, spiritual and governmental tools needed to correct our current trajectory toward a positive and sustainable future. According to Schwägerl, “The Anthropocene is more than the sum of the parts of environmental havoc. It can be the arena in which humanity decides to wisely integrate into the planet’s workings, enriching itself by its actions as a result. Smart cities, cultivated life-forms and landscapes with a human-induced biodiversity, are examples of how we can create a positive geological record. Human creativity, community spirit and conscious thought can lead to changes that might make our species look back at current behavior as sheer ecological barbarism. We can go from today’s crises to an enlightened planet.” Drawing on his own experiences and research as a journalist with rigorous scientific training, Schwägerl offers readers the means to envision and create realistic solutions to our current ecological crises. He shares a planetary vision of an attainable world that balances ecological sustainability, economic prosperity, political justice and cultural vibrancy.