In recent years, there has been ongoing debate in academic and specialized circles about renaming the current geological epoch, which is traditionally known as the Holocene. This epoch began around 11,700 years ago, following the last major ice age. Geologists typically define epochs by analyzing Earth’s strata, which contain evidence of past events, such as ice ages or significant biological shifts, often through fossils. However, since the Industrial Revolution and the Nuclear Era, human activities have left a distinct mark on the planet’s geological layers. This includes the “footprint” of radiation (such as nuclear fallout) and widespread pollutants like chlorine and plastics.

In 2015, members of the Anthropocene Working Group proposed renaming the current epoch the “Anthropocene”—a term reflecting humanity’s profound impact on the Earth. They suggested that this new epoch should begin around July 16, 1945, with the Trinity nuclear test, marking the start of the Nuclear Era. While there is no consensus on the exact starting point, most agree that the Anthropocene’s origins lie in the mid-20th century.

On a different note, environmental historian and sociologist Jason Moore has suggested an alternative term: the “Capitalocene.” This term takes a more critical stance, arguing that capitalism is the root cause of the environmental crises facing humanity today. Moore’s concept examines how consumption, production, systems of power and culture, finance, and economic collapse are interconnected. He places the blame on economically dominant countries, suggesting that their capitalist-driven systems are a central force behind global climate collapse.