Man's impact on earth epoch?

British researchers say that than man's impact on the earth during the last 200 years has brought the planet into a new geological age, the Anthropocene (new man) epoch.

The reasons? Mind blowing population growth, sprawl of large cities, fossil fuel use and subsequent atmospheric changes and what may be the sixth largest mass extinction of species. These behaviors, the scientists argue, could alter the planet for millions of years to come.

"Geologically, this is a remarkable episode in the history of this planet," the scientists wrote in the Earth Day issue of Environmental Science & Technology.

The authors acknowledge that the Anthropocene is a controversial idea. I think it's provocative, and will form the meat of many a good science fiction novel in the future... and several already written.

Comparing global warming to the (probable) asteroid impact that ended the dinosaur's reign seems like apples and oranges. These scientists argue they are perhaps equivalent. That's a pretty sour notion.

Read the full commentary here.