Are we ready for the Anthropocene?

The focus of the talk will be the ‚Anthropocene‘ (meaning: the era of human mankind). It implies that we humans and our societies do not have a symbiotic relationship with nature anymore but rather modify and transform natural processes to such an extent that we have to be understood as a 'geological force’. If we take this seriously, a fundamental revision of almost every concept of the interrelation between humans and nature, but also of our concept of ourselves as humans, as well as our responsibilities as scientists would be necessary.