The pre-publication site of Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, a new open access journal, has been launched, with an introductory video by John Boswell. The nonprofit journal is supported by BioOne and five collaborating academic institutions: Dartmouth, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Michigan and the University of Washington.
The journal follows the example of organisations such as PLoS, who offers peer-reviewed research to academics worldwide on an open access, public-good basis. It aims to facilitate scientific solutions to the challenges presented by this era of accelerated human impact on natural systems. It is committed to the rapid publication of technically sound, peer-reviewed articles that address interactions between human and natural systems and behaviours.
Six knowledge domains form the structure of the publication, each headed by an editor-in-chief - Atmospheric Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Ecology, Ocean Science, Sustainable Engineering and Sustainability Sciences.
Boswell's introductory film visually summarises the scope of Elementa in the context of the Anthropocene. Last year, he released a Symphony of Science music video entitled 'Our Biggest Challenge,' introducing basic facts about climate change, designed to inspire viewers to take action; and several months ago worked with former US Vice President Al Gore and the Climate Reality Project as a part of their 24 Hours of Climate Reality initiative.
Elementa will begin to accept manuscripts in April through the submission system, Editorial Manager. First articles are expected to publish in July.
