Since the beginning of the industrial age two hundred years ago, human activity has profoundly altered natural cycles: hence the term Anthropocene to designate our contemporary era.
As fuel inventories run dry, the exuberant consumption of energy linked to growth-centered economies is coming to an end. What will be the political, economic and social repercussions of such a system, founded on a boundless thirst for natural resources?
As a period of acceleration, the Anthropocene era is on its last legs. The 21st century will be known as that of a 'decline in energy'. Confronted as we are with a dramatic break in the history of time, it is imperative that we rapidly adopt a model other than productivism.
Agnès Sinaï is the co-founder and president of Institut Momentum on the Anthropocene era and its issues, which is a think-tank on post-growth societies. She is also an environmental journalist and a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris, where she works on the politics of degrowth.