Earth Sciences Are the Model Sciences of the Anthropocene

Abstract

After 4.5 billion years as an evolving and dynamic planet, the Earth continues to evolve but with human‐altered dynamics. Earth scientists have special opportunities and responsibilities to accelerate our understanding of Earth's changes that are transforming our most remarkable home. Human beings are changing Earth's systems from local to global scales in ways that are not well understood, quantified, or modeled There is dire need to prioritize the Earth sciences and engineering to advance environmental policy for a more sustainable future