In short, researchers are trying to get to the bottom of how humans are changing the face of Earth. They are especially interested in the “technofossils” that our modern civilization will leave behind. This concept, extensively examined in the book “Discarded: How Technofossils Will Be Our Ultimate Legacy,” authored by Sarah Gabbott and Jan Zalasiewicz, sheds light on how future paleontologists may interpret the remnants of contemporary human life. The authors, both professors at the University of Leicester, England, think through the crazy abundance of stuff in our times. They examine how these artifacts will be geologically archived within stratigraphy layers for tens of millions of years.
One particularly remarkable instance of these technofossils are the fossils of green algae. They synthesize PU-like polymers that are difficult to tell apart from PET. Paleontologists discovered these algae in limestone deposits up to 48 million years old. This finding proves their capacity to produce these polymers hasn’t changed in geologic time. Yet this phenomenal consistency should have us all pondering what the long-term environmental legacy of such plastic-like materials are doing deep in the geological record.
The Anthropocene epoch is the most recent epoch characterized by human activity as a dominant influence on climate and the environment. It is this current era that will leave such markers in the geological record for future generations to find. Yet it will be the later geologists and paleontologists who’ll be most attracted to the Anthropocene rock layer. Its unusual features are sure to make them want more. One of the more striking elements will be a large, cliff-like slope displaying an array of interleaved stacked wind turbine blades. After decommissioning, these blades will be cut into segments and arranged side by side, creating a unique geological formation that reflects humanity’s shift toward renewable energy.
Along with wind turbine blades, the Anthropocene rock layer will be filled with a truly mixed bag of technofossils. Future astronauts may find polyester sweaters, QWERTY keyboards, and perhaps even working saxophones. These artifacts would undoubtedly be jarring and alien to anyone taking stock of what remains millions of years in the future. This incredible assemblage of objects is a reflection of the rich and complex material culture of the contemporary world.
The concept of technofossils prompts a reflection on how human innovations and everyday items will inform future generations about contemporary life. Continuing the story left by these remnants, Discarded comes together as a field guide to this new landscape and what it can teach us. Gabbott and Zalasiewicz point out that the materials we produce today will withstand geological forces. Those relics will provide a window into the lifestyle and culture of our society.
The research draws parallels between ancient life forms and modern creations, highlighting how certain features of our environment will persist long after humanity has ceased to exist. Green algae produce extracellular polymers that are amenable to fossilization. These fossils – known as the Cambrian Explosion – tell a critical geological story in the broader narrative of Earth’s history. These kinds of findings challenge our basic assumptions about degradation and preservation in nature.
As scientists begin to imagine what future geologists will find, they must consider what our legacy means. Our anthropogenic rock layer will bear witness to our incredible advancements in techno-utopianism. It will further serve to remind us about the larger environmental implications of plastic pollution and over-consumption of resources. The technofossils captured in these strata will include the most creative human designs, but showcase their detrimental effects.
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