On the Anthropocene

This chapter focuses on three key points. First, the world has changed, with destructive consequences for many, will continue to change, and will not return to situation “normal.” That is, it will not return to global temperatures or species abundance and fluctuations that fall within the kinds of background levels experienced by generations of humans. This terrifying transformation has been labelled “The Anthropocene.” While it is acknowledged that this term is contentious it is used here for its capacity to do useful work. Second, any educational conception and delivery that results in inculcation into dominant cultural norms will do nothing to change the current trajectory nor prepare learners for the new reality. Finally, no one really knows how to move forward in the best possible way. This isn’t meant to sound despairing, rather it signifies, that we’re in a time calling for bold experimentation and imagination.