The Anthropocene lens highlights an interesting paradox: while humans’ general well-being is rising, our actions are pushing our planet toward a future void of natural biodiversity (Heller, 2019). Unfortunately, seemingly small “local actions” like driving to work or ordering a package online have become so normalized and interconnected that they actively contribute to “global risks and consequences” for our environment (Biermann et al., 2016).
A large goal in the Anthropocene epoch is to “facilitate effective international communication” (Heller, 2019). On the surface, the goal seems positive, but viewed through the lens of the Anthropocene, it can have catastrophic environmental effects. The surge in international communication has contributed to the rapid expansion of e-commerce, which relies heavily on international supply chains, packaging materials, and ocean transportation; these factors significantly impact waste management and carbon emissions. Almost no region is void of this expansive “international communication”; how might you be impacting this human-shaped epoch?
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