Unveiling the Anthropocene: A Comprehensive Exploration at the Canadian Museum of Nature

A deep dive into the Anthropocene

Museum biologist studies a tiny Canadian lake with global significance

July 11, 2023

Plant-like microbes and algae from the depths of a tiny Canadian lake may help to define a new geological epoch—a time period in the earth’s history that humans will have had a direct hand in creating. And this week, an international network of scientists has given further momentum to this project that has focused the attention of Canadian Museum of Nature phycologist Paul Hamilton since 2019.

Crawford Lake and its Significance

Crawford Lake, part of the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, has emerged as an important site for understanding human impacts on the environment. Paul Hamilton, along with Canadian-based researchers, has been studying sediment cores collected from the lake to assess the presence of human-induced environmental changes. These sediments, undisturbed over time, provide a geological and biological record of human impacts at the local, regional, and global levels. The sediments act as a sort of “tree trunk rings” that reveal important information about climate change, pollution, and even nuclear fallout.

The Great Acceleration, a period starting in the 1950s, serves as the focus of the team’s research. Human actions during this time led to significant and persistent changes worldwide. Hamilton has worked closely with Dr. Francine McCarthy at Brock University and Dr. Tim Patterson at Carleton University, among others, to study the diatoms and chrysophytes found in the sediment cores. These microscopic organisms, along with their remains and micro-fossils, provide valuable insights into the lake’s productivity and carbon generation and absorption.

Toward the Recognition of the Anthropocene

The study of Crawford Lake’s sediments represents a major step towards establishing a global benchmark for a new unit of geological time—the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene Working Group, an international network of scientists, has chosen Crawford Lake as its candidate for the global reference point of this proposed new epoch. The lake’s selection still requires approval by two other geological scientific groups, but if ratified, it will receive an official “golden spike” from the International Committee of Stratigraphers, joining the 78 other spikes around the world that mark the start of new geological units of time.

The recognition of the Anthropocene as a new epoch holds philosophical as well as scientific importance. It signifies a tipping point in human history, acknowledging our direct impact on the planet’s environment. It raises questions about our responsibility as stewards of the Earth and the consequences of our actions.

The Significance of Crawford Lake

Hamilton emphasizes that Crawford Lake’s selection as a proposed site for the Anthropocene offers a unique and comprehensive geological record of human disturbance. The lake’s sediment cores provide evidence of historic human impacts that predate the Great Acceleration, offering valuable insights for future research and learning. The museum’s National Biodiversity Cryobank of Canada will curate an official sediment core from Crawford Lake to ensure easy accessibility for future generations of scientists.

Editorial: Learning from the Anthropocene

The emergence of the Anthropocene as a potential new epoch should serve as a wake-up call for humanity. It highlights the profound and lasting impacts we have made on the Earth’s environment. Just as the study of tree rings allows us to understand past climatic changes and events, the study of Crawford Lake’s sediments provides us with a tangible record of our own actions.

We must take this opportunity to reflect on the choices we have made and the consequences they have had. The recognition of the Anthropocene should not be seen as an indictment of humanity, but rather as a call to action. It is a reminder that we have the power to shape the future and that our actions now will determine the course of the planet for generations to come.

Looking Forward

The study of Crawford Lake is just one piece of the puzzle in understanding the Anthropocene. As scientists continue to study and uncover more evidence of human impacts on the environment, it is crucial that we learn from these findings. We must use this knowledge to inform our decision-making and work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Protecting and preserving our natural resources is not just an environmental concern—it is a moral imperative. We owe it to future generations to leave behind a planet that is healthy and vibrant, not one scarred by the heedless actions of the past.

As we move forward, let us embrace the lessons of the Anthropocene. Let us learn from our mistakes and make choices that prioritize the long-term health of our planet. Only by doing so can we ensure a future that is both prosperous and sustainable.