Abstract:
Earth has a special calendar called the geologic time scale that helps us understand its long history. We are currently in the Holocene Epoch, but some scientists believe we have entered a new time called the Anthropocene or the “Age of Humans” because of our impact on the planet. One of the biggest changes humans have made is inventing and using plastic, which has now become a major pollutant. Because plastic is now found everywhere, some scientists, like us, think we have entered a new stage in Earth’s history called the Plasticene. Plastic can now be found in many places on Earth, even in rocks! Scientists are trying to understand the various types of plastic rocks and how they form, which might help us to better manage plastic pollution. Plastic waste is leaving a mark on our planet’s history, but there are ways we can help.
The Earth’s History and the Age of Plastics
Did you know that the Earth has a calendar that helps us understand its long history? This calendar is called the geologic time scale. It is like a big timeline divided into smaller parts called eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages. Right now, we are in the Holocene Epoch, which started about 11,700 years ago when the last ice age ended.
During the Holocene, humans began to do more activities, and these actions changed our planet in many ways. Some scientists say we have entered a new time, called the Anthropocene which is a word used to describe a period in Earth’s history when humans had a big impact on the planet. It is like saying we are in the “Age of Humans” because our actions are changing the environment, including the climate, the plants and animals that live here. People started talking about the Anthropocene because they want everyone to understand how important it is for us to take care of our planet and make it a better place for future generations.
One of the biggest changes humans have made is inventing and using plastic. Plastic is a material that can be shaped into many kinds of objects. It is lightweight, strong, flexible, and cheap to make. Unfortunately, plastic has become in one of the biggest pollutants in the world [2]. It is everywhere, from the mountains to the oceans…
