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A diptych displaying a bird over a landscape at Kripalu in western Massachusetts and an equation defining the Anthropocene. The “Anthropocene Equation” is a conceptual mathematical expression developed by Owen Gaffney and Will Steffen describing how human impact rivals the most powerful forces the planet has encountered such as ice ages and the impact of asteroids.

The variables are:
E (Earth): The sum of Earth’s life support systems (atmosphere, oceans, biodiversity).
t (Time): Shows the “Great Acceleration” from 1950 onward.
AGI: Natural forces (Astronomical, Geophysical, Internal dynamics).
H (Humanity): Greenhouse gas emissions, land-use change, urbanization, and pollution.

This image is part of a series called Credo.

Sources: The Anthropocene Equation (Gaffney & Steffen), Simple Equation Shows How Human Activity is Trashing the Planet (New Scientist), Mathematics of the Anthropocene (Future Earth)