Earth-system science

Great Acceleration

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Definition

The Great Acceleration is the term used for the rapid and widespread increase in human activity and its impact on Earth's natural systems beginning around the mid-20th century. First used in scientific circles in 2005 and developed by Will Steffen and colleagues within the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, it is illustrated by a dashboard of indicators — originally 24, later updated to 12 socio-economic and 12 Earth-system trends from 1750 onward — nearly all of which show a sharp inflection after 1950.

References

Speak4NatureGreat Acceleration (term first used 2005 Dahlem Workshop; Steffen et al.; IGBP 24 indicators, updated to 12+12 by Stockholm Resilience Centre, 1750–2010)

origin and indicator structure

Planète des HumainsIndicators of the Anthropocene (IGBP 1987–2015; 24 indicators first published 2004, updated 2015; clear inflection from 1950)

dashboard lineage

Overview

What it means

Population, GDP, energy and water use, fertiliser consumption, and connectivity indicators all rose steeply post-1950, and Earth-system indicators — CO2 concentration, temperature, ocean acidification, tropical forest loss, biodiversity decline — moved with them.

The graphs provide the core empirical case that humanity has become a geological force, anchoring the Anthropocene concept and the planetary boundaries framework.

How it is used

The concept frames Earth-system science communication, Anthropocene research, and arguments for a safe operating space for humanity.

Why it matters

It converts the claim that "things changed after 1950" from impression into measured, synchronised trends across society and planet.