A top panel of geologists has decided not to grant the "human age" its own distinct place in Earth's geological timeline after disagreeing over when exactly the so-called Anthropocene Epoch might have begun.

After 15 years of deliberation, a team of scientists made the case that humankind has so fundamentally altered the natural world that we are in a new phase of Earth's existence. 

But the proposal was rejected in a contentious vote that has been upheld by the International Union of Geological Sciences, the field's governing body said in a statement March 22. The decision "to reject the proposal for an Anthropocene Epoch as a formal unit of the Geologic Time Scale is approved," it said.

There is no avenue for appeal, though some involved in the voting committee have raised allegations over the conduct of the ballot and a perceived lack of due process. (PhysOrg)

At least four people died in wildfires that are burning in 15 drought-stricken states across Mexico, from Michoacán to Chiapas. On March 28, 130 fires were still active, fuelled by strong winds. In some areas, the lack of firefighters forced locals to fight the fire themselves, while in other areas, community members blocked a highway through México state demanding more help from the government.

At least nine people have been killed in snowstorms in Mongolia as the country endures its harshest winter in half a century. Snowfall covered 90% of the country at its peak in January, and the harsh winter has killed 5.2 million animals–about 8% of the country's livestock—putting at risk the livelihoods of a third of the population, who are nomadic herders. (TNH)

Earlier this month, a sudden atmospheric warming event caused the Arctic's polar vortex to reverse its trajectory. The swirling ring of cold air is now spinning in the wrong direction, which has triggered a record-breaking "ozone spike" and could impact global weather patterns. (LiveScience)

Ecuador as instated rationing of electricity as the reservoirs behind hydro-power stations are depleted as a probable result of El Niño. In Colombia, Bogotá's mayor is urging residents to use less water. Farm production is down in Bolivia, with price spikes for staples excepted. Meanwhile, heavy rains have dumped more than two years worth of precipitation on Dubai and surrounding nations in just one day. (PRI)

Authorities have evacuated 110,000 people from their homes in Guangdong, as days of heavy rain caused massive flooding in China's most populous province. Four people have died so far, while 10 have gone missing, according to state media. (BBC News)

At least 200 people have been killed and many more injured and left homeless as the El Niño weather phenomenon continues to fuel torrential rains, leading to floods and landslides in towns and cities across East Africa. In Tanzania, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told parliament the deluge had impacted 200,000 people, with 155 dead, 236 injured, and 10,000 homes damaged. A similar number have been impacted in Burundi since September, and with nearly 100,000 displaced, the country has appealed for international help. Kenya, meanwhile, has deployed its military to rescue victims as rising waters claimed 45 lives and forced 40,000 from their homes. The current El Niño event developed rapidly mid-year in 2023 and, although some experts say it is technically over, its knock-on effects on Africa's rainy seasons are expected to last till the end of June. Its equally destructive twin, La Niña, which is associated with droughts across the Horn of Africa, is expected to develop by August. (TNH)