Understanding the end of the Holocene

A non-parametric statistical approach

Bibliographic Data

ID19482602
AuthorsMohammed H Dore (0000-0001-6922-3577, Brock University), M Rosario Marín (0000-0001-9228-6410, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena), María C Marín (0000-0002-7149-287X, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, corresponding author), Francine Mg Mccarthy (0000-0001-5038-8355, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada), Francine Mccarthy (Brock University)
Year2026
Publication date2026-05-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Anthropocene Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2053-0196 • E-ISSN: 2053-020X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/20530196261438442
OpenAlexW7161231699
LanguageEN
References cited24

This is a statistical analysis of several time series to find the best evidence to determine when the Holocene ended. We utilize nonparametric statistical methods (which are model free) to determine structural breaks on whether the cumulative human impacts on land, air and oceans are indicative of the end of the Holocene Epoch. It is shown that the use of fossil fuels was the dominant factor in achieving high standards of living, and increased life expectancy in some regions of the globe. However, human prosperity also entailed destructive impacts on the Earth System, which led Paul Crutzen to suggest that a new epoch, the Anthropocene, had begun. But there were several possible dates for the beginning of the epoch. The statistical techniques used here support 1952 as the start of the epoch, which agrees with the conclusions of the Anthropocene Working Group

Anthropocene · Holocene · Life expectancy · Nonparametric statistics · Prosperity · Statistical analysis · Statistical evidence · Global Energy and Sustainability Research · Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems · Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life