Paul Crutzen discovered the hole in the ozone layer in the atmospheric stratosphere. The ozone cover in stratosphere prevents the UV rays from entering the atmosphere and thus protecting the earth from a possible disaster. Paul Crutzen explained the way the hole in the ozone layer is created and its detrimental impact on the biosphere. He showed that the refrigerant carbonfluorocarbon (CFC) is at the root of this evil. For his research in atmospheric study he was later awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Paul Crutzen was so aghast with the environmental degradation of the world that stopped short of calling our geological age Holocene which is defined as the most recent period of geological time, rather he called it ‘Anthropocene’ which means the era dominated by humankind. That is, this era is not evolved by any natural consequences but by human activities of civilization, a civilization marked by unprecedented technology since the last 200 years. This technological revolution has been the defining and determining factor of the earth system over these years.

How it has been affected the atmospheric system can be explained by the fact use of fossil fuels like petrol and diesel has increased the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere which is likely to jeopardize the climate system. The climate experts warn of the changes we are already heading for. They say that it is the ‘tipping point’ we are nearing, a case of absolute no-return. In consequence of this, it is predicted, Greenland’s ice cap will melt down bringing the sea-level rise by up to 7 meters. The rain-forests of Congo and Amazon will face collapse.

This is the price of civilization we are paying in this Anthropocene era.