Tourism and the Anthropocene

Edward H. Huijbens, Martin G. Gren

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The Anthropocene is the suggested term for a new geological time unit that is distinguished by the fact that the collective of humans (i.e., the Anthropos) have become a geological force affecting the functioning of the Earth System. Since the Anthropocene was launched as a geological term in 2000, it has grown in its range and reach well beyond the confines of geology and the earth sciences. During the last decade it has made its way into the humanities and the social sciences where the concept has been both praised and criticized in different ways and for various reasons. It is now also part of the conceptual vocabulary in tourism in a range of ways this entry will explore. In this chapter we provide an overview of the concept of the Anthropocene and an examination of how it has been understood and promoted in the tourism literature by us. We also offer some critical observations on the Anthropocene in tourism scholarship and research, which leads us to suggest some potential future directions to accompany tourism in this field. One key issue to consider when it comes to the Anthropocene, is that it now has to be placed in the context of the planetary climate and ecological emergency.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Wiley Blackwell Companion to Tourism
EditorsC.M. Hall
PublisherWiley
Chapter35
Pages521-532
Number of pages12
Edition2
ISBN (Electronic)9781119753797
ISBN (Print)9781119753742
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jul 2024

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