A physical framework for the earth system, Anthropocene equation and the great acceleration

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Bertolami, O (Author) FCUP; Francisco, F (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Global and Planetary Change

Vol. 169

Pages: 66-69

ISSN: 0921-8181

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00P-2Z0

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2018.07.006

Abstract (EN): It is proposed, based on the Landau-Ginzburg Theory of phase transitions, that the transition of the Earth System from the stable conditions of the Holocene to the human driven condition of the Anthropocene is, actually, a phase transition, a qualitative change away from its Holocene equilibrium state. Based on this physical framework, one obtains the Anthropocene equation, the so-called Great Acceleration and shows that (i) the Earth System temperature at the future equilibrium state diverges from the average temperature of the Holocene as the cubic root of the human intervention, described by a parameter, H; (ii) the human induced departure from the Holocene can be as drastic as the ones due to natural, astronomical and geophysical causes; (iii) the susceptibility of the Earth System to human effects is much more relevant near the phase transition. The procedure to obtain numerical predictions from data is also exemplified through one of the existing proposals to account for human impact on the Earth's Holocene equilibrium.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4