How long will human impacts last? - David Biello
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TEDEd Animation
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Imagine aliens land on Earth a million years from now. What will these curious searchers find of us? They will find what geologists, scientists, and other experts are increasingly calling the Anthropocene, or new age of mankind. David Biello explains how the impacts that humans have made have become so pervasive, profound, and permanent that some geologists believe we merit our own epoch.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
This book, The Unnatural World, discusses more about the impact humans have had on the Earth and the new Geologic age called the Anthropocene. Also, take some time to read this post: You have been living in a new geologic time all along, from Ideas.TED.com.
This video, The Anthropocene and the Near Future, discusses the Anthropocene and all of its implications. Elizabeth Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History argues that man is the cause of the latest mass extinction. Watch this video, which offers more insight into how man has impacted this current geological epoch.
What exactly is the evidence that supports the idea of five mass extinctions in Earth’s history? Watch these two vides: How Many Mass Extinctions Have There Been? and Mass Extinctions.
What if we can mitigate some of our human impact on Earth, perhaps by de-extinction? Watch this TED Talk: The dawn of de-extinction. Are you ready? Find out more here from the American Museum of Natural History.
Love environmental and science topics? Here is a link to more articles from the educator.
Here are some links to TED-Ed lessons on the topics covered in this video:
When will the next mass extinction occur? - Matt Borths, Michael D'Emic, Adam Pritchard
What happens when continents collide? - Juan D. Carrillo
Can wildlife adapt to climate change? - Erin Eastwood
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Meet The Creators
- Educator David Biello
- Director Margaret To
- Animator Margaret To
- Designer Margaret To
- Composer Stephen LaRosa
- Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
- Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
- Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
- Narrator Addison Anderson
