Submitted by Dana Holmes, Tobermory Yacht Club, Graham Bland & Moira Parker, Sources of Knowledge
Over 70 people gathered at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre on August 14th for The Impact of the Anthropocene on the Great Lakes, a talk by Dr. Francine McCarthy, Environmental Scientist and Lead Scientist at the Crawford Lake Research Project. The event, co-hosted by the Tobermory Yacht Club and Sources of Knowledge, gave the community a chance to learn more about the ongoing debate over whether humanity’s impact on the Earth warrants recognition as a new geological epoch.
The term “Anthropocene,” popularized by Nobel Prize–winning chemist Paul Crutzen, describes the era in which human activity has become the dominant influence on Earth’s systems. Dr. McCarthy explained that the mid-20th century has long been considered the tipping point, with markers ranging from plutonium from nuclear testing to the “Great Acceleration” of population growth, resource use, and pollution after World War II. Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario, a rare meromictic lake where undisturbed sediment layers preserve a yearly record of change, was proposed as the “golden spike” site to define the epoch.
Although the International Union of Geological Science voted in March 2024 against formally recognizing the Anthropocene as a distinct epoch, the term continues to be widely used by scientists, politicians, and the public as shorthand for the sweeping human impacts shaping our planet. As Dr. McCarthy emphasized, the rejection of the proposal does not erase the reality of climate change, biodiversity loss, or rising global temperatures – issues that demand both personal responsibility and collective action. The evening ended with reflection: we may not have the power to rewind geological time, but we can choose how our actions today shape the record of tomorrow.
With the Anthropocene in mind, Sources of Knowledge now turns toward its annual Fall Forum, running October 24–26, on the theme of Fire: Respect, Knowledge, Balance.
As wildfires dominate headlines worldwide, this year’s Forum will ask how we can better understand, respect, and live in balance with fire. The weekend opens Friday evening with Indigenous perspectives, followed by an anthropologist’s insights into the role of fire in human history. Saturday’s sessions will look closer to home, exploring fire on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula and across Canada. Specialists from Canada’s national forestry service, Ontario’s emergency response teams, and Parks Canada will share expertise on preparedness, forest futures, wildfire monitoring, and climate change. A public panel on Sunday morning will draw together the weekend’s lessons for our communities. Registration is now open online. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and be part of this conversation.
