Jean-Pascal Van Ypersele

The term ‘Anthropocene’ was coined in recognition that human activities have ended the relatively stable environment of the Holocene epoch. However, its widespread adoption across the humanities, arts and sciences has led to diverse and sometimes incompatible definitions. In this Perspective, we argue for a stabilized definition of the Anthropocene epoch to help address contemporary environmental challenges, and explore various applications of the Anthropocene across disciplines. The Anthropocene epoch, with a proposed start point in 1952, underscores that human-driven global-scale environmental disruption differs from earlier human impacts of the Holocene, which did not cause such profound destabilization. This clear distinction enables quantitative and qualitative comparisons between the Holocene and Anthropocene epochs, as already utilized, for instance, within the planetary boundaries framework. As the Anthropocene Earth system transformation is systemic, political responses also need be systemic, rather

An international forum for leaders addressing interconnected crises, systemic challenges, the imperative for a new approach, collaborative solutions, and adapting to inevitable consequences. - An international forum for leaders addressing interconnected crises, systemic challenges, the imperative for a new approach, collaborative solutions, and adapting to inevitable consequences. - 25 April 2025 – MagNet Community House, Pallavicini Palace, Budapest