In 2016, the International Commission on Stratigraphy will consider a proposal from the “Anthropocene”
Working Group to formalize the “Anthropocene” as a geological unit within the Geological Time Scale. This
designation recognizes a new time interval in which human activities have significantly altered Earth’s
conditions and processes. Regardless of whether the Commission will ultimately declare a new geologic time
frame, the changes that have occurred (and are continuing) in our climate, land surfaces, vegetation, and
waters have profound effects on and implications for human society. Understanding human-induced
alterations in the past and present is critical to our ability to anticipate, mitigate, and adapt to changes in the
future.
The AAG 2016 Symposium on Physical Geography will explore recent advances relevant to our understanding
of the concept of the “Anthropocene” and the problems it poses as humanity interacts with the Earth system.
We seek contributions relating to past and contemporary environmental processes and change. Of particular
interest are posters in the following areas:
(1) The Early “Anthropocene”: When Did the “Anthropocene” Really Start?
(2) Evidence of Large-scale Human Impacts and Quantifying Recent, Current and Future Anthropogenic
Impacts
(3) Couplings and Societal Responses to Human-induced Environmental Change
(4) Measuring Risk and Planning Sustainability in an “Anthropocene” 21st Century
AAG Vice President Glen MacDonald will kick off the Symposium with an opening address, followed by
Symposium Plenary Speaker William Ruddiman and other featured keynote speakers and discussants -including Dorothy Merritts, Erle Ellis, Diana Liverman, and Susanne Moser -- throughout the Symposium. Panel
discussions will also explore how geographers are integrating the “Anthropocene” into their work, and how
we can better facilitate and foster research and teaching related to this expanding “Anthropocene” concept.
Please register for the conference at the AAG website: http://www.aag.org/cs/annualmeeting/register. Then,
during abstract submission: (a) select “Poster” as the abstract type; (b) select “Anthropocene” as the Primary
Topic; (c) in the space for “Special Request”: add a note that the abstract submitted is intended for the
Symposium on Physical Geography: Challenges of the “Anthropocene.”
Organizing Committee: Anne Chin (Chair), Timothy Beach, AAG Former President Carol Harden, Charles Lafon, AAG Vice
President Glen MacDonald, Sheryl Luzzadder-Beach, Katharine Johnson, Megan McCusker Hill, William Solecki, AAG
Former President Julie Winkler
aag.org/cs/cfp/symposium-on-physical-geography
Anne Chin, [email protected]