Should we ban fossil fuel now? Scientists say we are living in a new time period — and that it can be seen in the rocks under our feet.
After just 11,700 years… Earth enters new era
Momentous: Geologists have been working on the announcement of this new epoch for 15 years. Glossary
Ice age - A long period of time in which global temperatures are extremely cold.
Tame - Train an animal so it is no longer wild.
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Radiation - Energy given off when radioactive material decays. It can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal, causing vomiting, skin damage, hair loss and cancer.
Climate - The weather over a long period of time.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Fossil fuels - Fuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.
Carbon dioxide - Carbon dioxide is a colourless gas formed during the combustion of any material containing carbon and is a significant greenhouse gas.
Global warming - The Earth is getting hotter due to climate change.
Economy - The way that money flows through a country, which affects wages and the cost of living.