Despite this quest to identify a formally recognized boundary, perhaps uncertainty is the most effective means of furthering societal recognition of the complexities of human impact.

Drawing on his experience of the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) meeting sessions that coincided with the Anthropocene River Campus in November 2019, geologist and cartographer Andrew Gustin, writing for Temporary continent., reflects on the benefits and drawbacks of the primary and secondary indicators that the AWG is exploring as part of its ongoing work to define the beginning of the Anthropocene epoch. Through the aim is to identify a formally recognized boundary, Gustin suggests that perhaps uncertainty itself is the most effective means of furthering societal recognition of the complexities of human impact on planetary systems.