Key learning points

1. Human activity affects Earth's physical systems.
2. Population increase has significantly increased the human impact on Earth's physical systems.
3. Industrialisation significantly increased the human impact on Earth's systems.
4. The Anthropocene is a term used to describe a new geological age shaped by humans.
5. The term "Anthropocene" is debated by scientists.

Keywords

• Atmosphere - the layer of gases that surrounds Earth. It includes the oxygen we need to breathe, so it is essential for life on Earth

• Hydrosphere - includes all the water on Earth, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, groundwater, and water vapour in the atmosphere

• Geosphere - the solid parts of Earth, including the crust, mantle, and core, as well as rocks, soil, mountains, and other landforms

• Biosphere - life on Earth, encompassing all living organisms (plants, animals, bacteria, etc.) and the ecosystems they form

• Anthropocene - proposed geological epoch that marks when human activity has had a significant impact on Earth

Common misconception