The Pyrocene: How We Created an Age of Fire, and What Happens Next

The Pyrocene is a provocative rethinking of how humans and fire have evolved together over time, and our responsibility to reorient this relationship before it's too late. It describes how we have remade the Earth and how we might recover our responsibilities as keepers of the planetary flame.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 11 October 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

The Pyrocene is a thought-provoking exploration of the intricate relationship between humans and fire, tracing their evolutionary journey together over time. It sheds light on the transformative impact of fire on human civilization, from the earliest use of flames for cooking and survival to the modern era of industrialization and climate change.

Since the emergence of terrestrial life, flames have played a central role in shaping the Earth's landscape. However, over the past two million years, a remarkable species emerged—humanity—and its mastery of fire set off a chain of events that would reshape both the species and the planet as we know it.

The Pyrocene tells the story of how humanity's ability to control fire led to significant changes in its physiology, behavior, and cultural practices. By cooking food, humans developed smaller guts and larger brains, enabling them to climb the food chain and become a dominant geologic force on the planet. Fire was also used indirectly through pyrotechnologies to expand humanity's reach beyond the limitations of flame.

However, the advent of preindustrial and Indigenous societies brought with it a different perspective on fire. These societies operated within broad ecological constraints that determined how, and when, living landscapes could be burned. These ancient relationships between humans and fire broke down when people began to burn fossil biomass, unleashing the full power of humanity's firepower and leading to the globalized impacts of fire-catalyzed climate change.

The Pleistocene era gave way to the Pyrocene, a new geologic epoch characterized by the widespread effects of fire on the Earth's systems. The Pyrocene continues the tradition of storytelling that has been central to human civilization, exploring how we have remade the Earth and how we can recover our responsibilities as keepers of the planetary flame.

One of the key themes of the Pyrocene is the impact of human activity on the environment. The burning of fossil fuels has released vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and the loss of biodiversity. The Pyrocene emphasizes the need for humanity to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce our carbon footprint to mitigate the effects of fire-catalyzed climate change.

Another important aspect of the Pyrocene is the role of fire in cultural and spiritual practices. Across millennia, humans have told stories around fires, using them to explain the world, negotiate their place within it, and foster social connections. The Pyrocene continues this tradition, describing how fire has been used as a tool for creativity, innovation, and cultural expression.

Furthermore, the Pyrocene raises important ethical questions about our relationship with fire. As keepers of the planetary flame, we have a responsibility to use fire wisely and sustainably. This includes respecting the ecological boundaries of living landscapes, promoting responsible fire management practices, and addressing the impacts of fire-catalyzed climate change.

In conclusion, the Pyrocene is a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between humans and fire. It sheds light on the transformative power of fire on human civilization, the ecological consequences of our actions, and the ethical responsibilities we hold as keepers of the planetary flame. By reorienting our relationship with fire, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change, promote sustainable development, and preserve the beauty and diversity of the Earth's ecosystems.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520391635