JUSTIN KRAUSE
64317390
GGH2604 ASSIGNMENT 2
UNIQUE ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 693864
I declare that
• I am familiar with the contents of the UNISA Policy for Copyright Infringement and
Plagiarism and I am aware that the University may constitute disciplinary action for the
contravention of this policy.
• This assignment is my own work.
• All sources consulted have been properly acknowledged according to the Harvard
referencing style.
, Human beings have always interacted with the environment from day one, but more recently,
humans have had a significant effect on the earth. Anthropocene can be defined as humans
who have made a huge impact on the earth that may be everlasting and damaging to the
environment as we know it (Pavid, n.d.). for the past 60 years, the earth has faced major
changes such as extinction of flora and fauna species, ocean acidification, global warming
and destruction of natural spaces. These negative impacts are brought on by the existence of
human beings and the way in which the environment is viewed and treated. Throughout this
essay, I will provide reasons as to why Anthropocene is linked to human activity on the
environment and why homo-sapiens have affected the earth. A dive into Ruddiman’s
hypothesis of early Anthropocene, the rate at which deforestation is taking place in a
contemporary world as well as the rate at which biodiversity is being lost through illegal
logging and ivory trade.
Ruddiman’s hypothesis of early Anthropocene
According to Ruddiman (2003), there was a rise in the presence of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and
methane (CH4) gas in the atmosphere due to various human activities. A large contributor to
these gasses includes the farming of livestock, other agricultural activities and deforestation
of large pieces of land. The increase of CO2 and CH4 gasses caused an increasing
temperature in the atmosphere as the heat from the earth could not escape due to the
blocking effect these gasses had (Ruddiman, 2007). In the early Anthropocene hypothesis, it
stated that Anthropocene influences on greenhouse gases and global warming was prevalent
thousands of years ago and has increased rapidly from the industrial era. Secondly, the
climate should have cooled, but it has continued to increase due to the use of greenhouse
gases. Thirdly, throughout Ruddiman’s study, he noted that ice caps should have reformed
during this time as earth can rejuvenate itself after a couple thousand years. Throughout the
last 2000 years, there have been short climatic fluctuations that have improved the
atmospheric quality by means of pandemics and efforts to reforest areas. A review of
Ruddiman’s early hypothesis conducted in 2007 stated that the CH4 gases found in the
atmosphere can all be related back to early agricultural activity. The CO2 gases caused by
deforestation and the burning of coal only accounts for about 25% of the total CO2 gases
found in the atmosphere, meaning that the remaining amount must be linked to anthropogenic
activities. Therefore, the impact of Anthropocene is linked to how humans have utilized the
environment and how human-related activities have increased the warming properties of the
earth.
64317390
GGH2604 ASSIGNMENT 2
UNIQUE ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 693864
I declare that
• I am familiar with the contents of the UNISA Policy for Copyright Infringement and
Plagiarism and I am aware that the University may constitute disciplinary action for the
contravention of this policy.
• This assignment is my own work.
• All sources consulted have been properly acknowledged according to the Harvard
referencing style.
, Human beings have always interacted with the environment from day one, but more recently,
humans have had a significant effect on the earth. Anthropocene can be defined as humans
who have made a huge impact on the earth that may be everlasting and damaging to the
environment as we know it (Pavid, n.d.). for the past 60 years, the earth has faced major
changes such as extinction of flora and fauna species, ocean acidification, global warming
and destruction of natural spaces. These negative impacts are brought on by the existence of
human beings and the way in which the environment is viewed and treated. Throughout this
essay, I will provide reasons as to why Anthropocene is linked to human activity on the
environment and why homo-sapiens have affected the earth. A dive into Ruddiman’s
hypothesis of early Anthropocene, the rate at which deforestation is taking place in a
contemporary world as well as the rate at which biodiversity is being lost through illegal
logging and ivory trade.
Ruddiman’s hypothesis of early Anthropocene
According to Ruddiman (2003), there was a rise in the presence of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and
methane (CH4) gas in the atmosphere due to various human activities. A large contributor to
these gasses includes the farming of livestock, other agricultural activities and deforestation
of large pieces of land. The increase of CO2 and CH4 gasses caused an increasing
temperature in the atmosphere as the heat from the earth could not escape due to the
blocking effect these gasses had (Ruddiman, 2007). In the early Anthropocene hypothesis, it
stated that Anthropocene influences on greenhouse gases and global warming was prevalent
thousands of years ago and has increased rapidly from the industrial era. Secondly, the
climate should have cooled, but it has continued to increase due to the use of greenhouse
gases. Thirdly, throughout Ruddiman’s study, he noted that ice caps should have reformed
during this time as earth can rejuvenate itself after a couple thousand years. Throughout the
last 2000 years, there have been short climatic fluctuations that have improved the
atmospheric quality by means of pandemics and efforts to reforest areas. A review of
Ruddiman’s early hypothesis conducted in 2007 stated that the CH4 gases found in the
atmosphere can all be related back to early agricultural activity. The CO2 gases caused by
deforestation and the burning of coal only accounts for about 25% of the total CO2 gases
found in the atmosphere, meaning that the remaining amount must be linked to anthropogenic
activities. Therefore, the impact of Anthropocene is linked to how humans have utilized the
environment and how human-related activities have increased the warming properties of the
earth.
