Humans affected most of Earth 12,000 years ago, but not to environment’s detriment

Scientific modelling has revealed three-quarters of the planet had been altered by humans as far back as 12,000 years ago.

A team led by researchers from the University of Maryland in the US and including scientists from the University of Queensland has developed computer models to compare the impact of humans on their surrounding environment over the centuries.

UQ’s Professor James Watson said they found humans had affected a large area of the globe for a significant period, but for most of that time, the overall impact was much less than since the industrial revolution.

“We often forget when talking about the influence of…