The Holocene is the current geological epoch that began about 11,700 years ago following the end of the Pleistocene. The Holocene began with abrupt climate warming that led to the retreat of the remaining ice sheets of North America, Europe, and elsewhere. The Holocene is characterized by a moderate and stable climate permitting the rise of agriculture and organized human civilization.
Source: IPBES (2019), Global Assessment Report, Glossary.
