Paul J. Crutzen
He won the Nobel Prize for his work on the formation and decomposition of ozone.
Most quoted
"Considering these and many other major and still growing impacts of human activities on Earth and atmosphere, and at all, including global, scales, it seems to me more than appropriate to emphasize the central role of mankind in geology and ecology by proposing to use the term 'Anthropocene' for the current geological epoch."
— from The 'Anthropocene', 2000
"For the past three centuries, the effects of humans on the global environment have escalated. Because of these, it seems to me that it is more than appropriate to emphasize the central role of mankind in geology and ecology by proposing to use the term 'Anthropocene' for the current geological epoch."
— from IGBP Newsletter, 2000
"The Anthropocene could be said to have started in the latter part of the eighteenth century, when analyses of air trapped in polar ice showed the beginning of growing global concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane."
— from Geology of Mankind, 2002
All quotes by Paul J. Crutzen (422)
We need to be proactive, not reactive.
The future is in our hands.
It's a privilege to be a scientist and contribute to understanding our world.
The Anthropocene is a testament to the profound and lasting impact of humanity on Earth.
We must strive for a balance between human development and environmental protection.
The Earth system is a complex and interconnected web.
My research has always been driven by curiosity and a desire to understand.
The Anthropocene is a powerful concept for communicating the scale of human influence.
We have the knowledge and the tools to address these challenges.
Let's not underestimate the power of collective action.
The discovery of the ozone hole was a stark reminder of unintended consequences.
The Anthropocene is a call for a new way of thinking about our relationship with the planet.
We must act with urgency and determination.
The future generations depend on us.
We have created a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. And it's not a pretty picture.
I'm not saying we're doomed, but we're certainly making a good effort.
The problem with humans is they're too good at being human.
If you want to understand the atmosphere, you have to get your hands dirty. Or at least your models.
We're not just changing the climate; we're changing the planet's operating system.
Some people think I'm a doomsayer. I just think I'm a realist with a good calculator.
Contemporaries of Paul J. Crutzen
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Paul J. Crutzen (1933–2021).