What does the Anthropocene mean to you?
To me, the Anthropocene represents a profound shift in Earth’s history - a epoch in which human influence is so widespread and intense that no part of the planet remains untouched. Our actions now rival natural processes in transforming the global biosphere, and since the mid-20th century, this impact has accelerated dramatically. The Anthropocene highlights how our growing footprint is altering ecosystems, pushing Earth toward potential tipping points, and transforming even the most remote environments. It is also a stark reminder of our responsibility in shaping the Earth’s future.
How does the Anthropocene play a role in your work?
I am a forester by training and originally from Bangladesh—a country where human dependence on nature is both profound and complex. Bangladesh is also among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world due to its geographical position as a low-lying coastal country exposed to sea-level rise, cyclones, and frequent flooding. As the country grapples with rapid forest and biodiversity loss, land use changes, and the impacts of climate change, the concept of the Anthropocene compels me to think critically about sustainability, resilience, and the long-term consequences of human actions on our limited natural resources—issues that hold significance not just locally, but globally.
What project(s) are you working on during your fellowship at the Forum Basiliense?
During my fellowship at the Forum Basiliense at the University of Basel, I will be working on a paper looking at how global forest fire regimes may influence national NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) commitments and the growing voluntary carbon market, both aimed to curb the global CO2 emissions. The concept of the Anthropocene closely aligns with the core of my research. My project addresses the critical issue of uncertainty in ecosystem carbon accounting caused by forest fires—an uncertainty that significantly impacts national carbon reporting under NDCs, the credibility of carbon credits in the voluntary market, and, most importantly, global climate mitigation efforts. By integrating perspectives from environmental science, economics, and policy, my research also aligns closely with the interdisciplinary objectives of the Forum Basiliense.
