Ready to learn a new word? Anthropocene. Defined according to wikipedia it is “a recent and informal geologic chronological term that serves to mark the evidence and extent of human activities that have had a significant global impact on the Earth’s ecosystems. The term was coined by ecologist Eugene Stoermer but has been widely popularized by the Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen.”
The images here where created by Felix Pharand-Deschenes depicting how various human influences, from road and rail, to internet cables and airlines create significant patterns covering the Earth. What can we learn from these patterns in how they are influencing the environment?
Above: Air traffic routes between North America and Europe.
Below: Road and rail networks in Europe, along with underwater data cables, and communications lines.
Human technology presence over North America
Human technology presence over Asia
Human technology presence over Africa
Road and rail networks in South America
Human technology presence over Australasia
Air traffic routes around North and South America
Air traffic routes over Eurasia
Road and rail networks, city illumination, communication lines and underwater data cables in Europe
Human technology presence over North America
Major road and rail networks in Africa, communication lines and underwater data cables
Major road and rail networks in Australasia, transmission lines and underwater data cables
Globaia: Anthropocene Mapping
Source: globaia.org found via inhabitat.com
