The  Anthropocene  and its implications for our  future climate

Online  attendees may join up to 30 minutes prior to the talk where they can (if desired) communicate with others  online and those attending  the physical event. Talks are typically 40 minutes in length followed by  discussion  time of 10-15 minutes.  Lectures are recorded and made available to members online.

Mole Valley Geological Society

Dr Colin Summerhayes,  Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge University

MVGS Geological Talks  2025

2025 programme
Talks schedule for  9 Jan, 13 Feb, 13 March,  10 April,  8 May, 10 July,  4 Sept, 13 Nov
Subjects include: Stonehenge, The Mineralogy of Art , The surface of Mars,  geology of the Moroccan High Atlas, The Anthropocene

Dr. Colin Summerhayes's work on the Anthropocene emphasizes that human activity has permanently altered the Earth's climate and geology, leading to an irreversible departure from the stable Holocene epoch. Implications for the future include significant, long-lasting climate change, rising sea levels due to melting ice, widespread impacts on ocean and terrestrial ecosystems, and potential loss of biodiversity. The Anthropocene represents a new, challenging state for the Earth System that will require new perspectives for understanding and addressing these changes.Key implications<ul><li>Permanent climate shift: The current human-induced climate change is so profound that it's unlikely the Earth will return to Holocene-like conditions for at least 50,000 years, potentially longer if greenhouse gas emissions continue.</li><li>Rising sea levels: Climate change is causing the melting of ice sheets and glaciers, leading to a continued and accelerating rise in global sea levels.</li><li>Changes to ocean systems: Human activities have already caused serious consequences for the biological and chemical conditions of the oceans, including ocean acidification.</li><li>Impacts on terrestrial and marine ecosystems: Widespread habitat loss and other human pressures are pushing Earth towards a sixth mass extinction event. Practices like bottom trawling have devastated marine ecosystems on the sea floor.</li><li>Need for new legal and social frameworks: The physical and chemical changes to the Earth system necessitate a rethinking of existing frameworks, such as international maritime law, which were developed in the context of the Holocene.</li></ul> You can view a previous talk by Dr Summerhayes athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDI7YzVnDp8Please register here if you would like to attend online.On completion, you will receive a Zoom meeting registration link.If you do not receive a Zoom confirmation email following registration, please try again, contact us directly via this site or the society website <a href="https://www.mvgs.org.uk/" title="https://www.mvgs.org.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.mvgs.org.uk</a> General Information about the SocietyThe Mole Valley Geological Society normally meets monthly for lectures which are held in Dorking and also streamed live. Founded in 1979, the Society is a Local Group of the Geologists’ Association, founded in 1858.Visitors are very welcome. No previous geological knowledge is needed, just curiosity about the Earth and its history.Meetings are held in the Follet Hall of the Dorking United Reformed Church. Access off Church Street. Postcode: RH4 1BS.Coffee &amp; biscuits served from 7.30pm. Lectures start at 8.00 and finish at about 9.30pm.Those attending online can join from 7.40pmExamples of recent talks can be viewed on YouTube at:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MVLCTV" title="https://www.youtube.com/@MVLCTV" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/@MVLCTV</a>Note - Members have access to recordings of all talks since December 2023