The Great Acceleration

The Great Acceleration refers to the rapid increase in human activity and its impact on the Earth's systems since the mid-20th century. This period saw unprecedented growth in population, industrial production, energy consumption, transportation, and technology, leading to significant environmental changes like climate change, deforestation, and pollution. Essentially, it marks a point where human influence on the planet accelerated dramatically, reshaping ecosystems and the climate at a pace much faster than before, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices to balance development with environmental health.