Gaia: A New Look at Life on EarthIn this classic work that continues to inspire many readers, Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that the Earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists, Gaia is a journey through time and space in search of evidence in support of a radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that life is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis that the Earth's living matter influences air, ocean, and rock to form a complex, self-regulating system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life. Since Gaia was first published, Jim Lovelock's hypothesis has become a hotly debated topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this edition, he outlines his view of the present state of the debate. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think. |
Contents
In the beginning | |
The recognition of Gaia | |
Cybernetics | |
The contemporary atmosphere | |
The | |
the problem of pollution | |
Living within Gaia | |
Epilogue | |
Definitions and explanations of terms | |
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Common terms and phrases
abundance acid activity aeons ago algae ammonia anaerobic animals atmosphere atoms biological biosphere capacity carbon dioxide cell cent chemical chemical equilibrium chemistry chloride chlorofluorocarbons climate complex composition compounds concentration consequences constant continental shelves control system creatures cybernetic systems dimethyl sulphide Earth Earth’s surface ecosystems effect electric elements energy entropy environment environmental equilibrium evolved example existence fire fossil fuel Gaia hypothesis Gaia’s Gaian gases Geophysiology global habitats half aeons heat human hydrogen increase industrial inorganic iodine ions land lifeless living organisms living things Mars methane methyl chloride methyl iodide micro-organisms million molecules natural nitrogen nitrous oxide nuclear numbers oceans oven oxygen ozone layer photosynthesizers planet planetary poisonous pollution possible potential present problem production quantities regions regulation rocks salinity salt scientific scientists seems silica sodium sodium chloride space species stratosphere substances sulphur sunlight survival temperature water vapour