雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of the 'Anthropocene' has gained traction among geologists and environmental scientists as a proposed new geological epoch defined by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems. Proponents argue that markers such as plastic pollution, nuclear fallout, and elevated carbon dioxide levels provide clear stratigraphic evidence of human influence. However, critics contend that the term is more cultural than scientific, noting that human activity lacks a single, synchronous global boundary layer comparable to previous epoch transitions. This debate highlights a broader tension between scientific classification and societal narrative, as naming an epoch carries implications for how we perceive our responsibility toward the planet's future.