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The Anthropocene: Impact Of Human Intervention On The Environment

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THE ANTHROPOCENE Many experts contend that the existence of humanity on earth has entered a new era or epoch, one marked by man’s intervention on the landscape - the Anthropocene. Studies of this new era examine the impact of human intervention on the environment as well as the cultural and ethical implications. The impact of man on the environment is undeniable hence, as designers it is essential to consider the social, ethical and environmental implications our designs have on the world. There is debate between when the Anthropocene began with some arguing that it began during the agrarian era with the development of intense farming practices while others believe it should be marked from the 1945 dropping of the atomic bomb with its’ measurable radioactive particles, or from the the industrial revolution, when pollution from fossil fuels and plastics accelerated. …show more content…

This manifests itself in a desire to live in a world which we have created rather than a world that had been given, and drives our need to create new and innovative technologies, regardless of the social and environmental consequences. Concerns about the Anthropocene are centred around accusations that man is “playing god” and that we are moving toward a dystopian society. Ultimately man must live in harmony with nature as “ecology without nature” will ultimately result in our own extinction. While these contentions may be inflammatory and unrealistic I believe that there is some potential truth inherent in the argument and therefore as designers we must be conscious of the impact of our designs. Some areas of concern are climate change, cloning and the raid development of robotic

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