Honoring Paul Crutzen, A Personal Appreciation

I have had the privilege and pleasure of collaborating with Paul for more than 40 years. During the year 2000, when he announced to the world about his Anthropocene concept, Paul and I were in the midst of a major field study on Atmospheric Clouds over the Indian Ocean. He is one of the most creative, innovative and original geo-scientists of his generation. I describe the Anthropocene using the lens of a climate scientist. I conclude with my speculation about how and when we will transition from the current adolescent age of the Anthropocene subject to multiple assaults on the environment to a mature, sustainable and safe Anthropocene.