Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth

Front Cover
Oxford University Press, Sep 28, 2000 - Biology - 148 pages
In this classic work that continues to inspire its many readers, Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that life on earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists, Gaia is a journey through time and space in search of evidence with which to support a new and radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that living matter is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis that the earth's livingmatter air, ocean, and land surfaces forms a complex system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life. Since Gaia was first published, many of Jim Lovelock's predictions have come true and his theory has become a hotly argued topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this reissued title, he outlines his present state of the debate.

Other editions - View all

About the author (2000)

James Lovelock is an independent scientist, inventor, and auJames Lovelock is an independent scientist, inventor, and auJames Lovelock is an independent scientist, inventor, and author. Hewas elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974 and thor. Hewas elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974 and thor. Hewas elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974 and in 1990 was awardedthe first Amsterdam Prize for the Environin 1990 was awardedthe first Amsterdam Prize for the Environin 1990 was awardedthe first Amsterdam Prize for the Environment by the Royal NetherlandsAcademy of Arts and Sciences. Oment by the Royal NetherlandsAcademy of Arts and Sciences. Oment by the Royal NetherlandsAcademy of Arts and Sciences. One of his inventions is the electroncapture detector, which ne of his inventions is the electroncapture detector, which ne of his inventions is the electroncapture detector, which was important in the development ofenvironmental awareness. was important in the development ofenvironmental awareness. was important in the development ofenvironmental awareness. It revealed for the first time the ubiquitousdistribution ofIt revealed for the first time the ubiquitousdistribution ofIt revealed for the first time the ubiquitousdistribution of pesticide residues. He co-operated with NASA and someof his pesticide residues. He co-operated with NASA and someof his pesticide residues. He co-operated with NASA and someof his inventions were adopted in their program of planetaryexplor inventions were adopted in their program of planetaryexplor inventions were adopted in their program of planetaryexploration. ation. ation.

Bibliographic information