The Anthropocene is a recently proposed definition of the new geological epoch. That it is the name of the geological time means that time of the Anthropocene covers the entire globe. But how can the whole Earth be covered by one epoch? Even if so, how is human subjectivity and experience measured and evaluated in this time duration? The way how human subjectivity and self exists differs from culture to culture. On the one hand, the concept of the Anthropocene is hallmarked by the concept of nature/culture divide developed in western civilization. Seen under the light of the East Asian experience, however, it can be defined in another way. There might (or must) be another (or plural) environmental subjectivity in this globe ; To think about the Anthropocene is to re-think about “our” idea of environment in multiple places.

Further information at chikyu.ac.jp/rihn