Whitehouse, Hilary (2012) The Anthropocene, young women and education for sustainability. Redress, 21 (3). pp. 6-9.

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Abstract

[Extract] You may or may not have noticed, but we are now living in a condition known as the Anthropocene. The term was coined about a decade ago and refers to the fact that human activities are now a dominant force within planetary systems. In Hamilton's (2012) words, "humans have imprinted themselves on every cubic metre of the biosphere". The development of our highly complex and complicated global techno-industrial society was predicated on a period of relatively benign planetary conditions known as the Holocene. Our present social order has its origins in mass agriculture, which frees people up to invent and take part in activities not associated with growing and raising food. Formal education, from early childhood to postgraduate tertiary education, is only possible when basic human needs are met and supported by wider society. The conditions for all our phenomenal social, cultural, technological, scientific and educational achievements to date have been predicated on relatively stable planetary conditions. The Holocene could have lasted many thousands of years into the future, except that humans happen to be so successful at changing things that those planetary drivers of stability are now being messed up.

Item ID:	26416
Item Type:	Article (Non-Refereed Research)
ISSN:	1039-382X
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date Deposited:	16 Apr 2013 05:42
FoR Codes:	13 EDUCATION > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130399 Specialist Studies in Education not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9399 Other Education and Training > 939904 Gender Aspects of Education @ 100%
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