The ‘Anthropocene’ or the ‘age of humans’ is one which is defined by massive human impacts on the natural environment, to a point where that impact is actually visible in the geological record. The opinions that cluster around the term " Anthropocene" vary greatly and have resulted in arguments both in favour and against the adoption of this concept.

We find out more about the great Anthropocene debate from Dr Martin Mahony, a Research Fellow at the School of Geography of the University of Nottingham from the UK, whose own research concerns the intersections of environment, science and society.