James lovelock simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. He is best known for proposing the gaia hypothesis, which postulates that the earth functions as a selfregulating system. Science on a pagan planet when james lovelock came up with the gaia hypothesis, today also commonly referred. Thus the gaia hypothesis validates our sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world, by proposing a scienti. He was born to a working class family, which believed strongly in education.
James lovelock, gaias grand old man the scientist who first theorized that our planet is a biological organism, not merely a rock, discusses life. He is known for proposing the gaia hypothesis, in which he postulates that the earth functions as a selfregulating system. Gaia theory scientist james lovelock admits he was alarmist about the impact of climate change. He argues that the anthropocene the age in which humans acquired planetaryscale technologies is, after 300 years, coming to an end. Written for the nonscientist, 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. A new look at life on earth oxford landmark science. Jul 04, 2019 james lovelock, creator of the gaia hypothesis and the greatest environmental thinker of our time, has produced an astounding new theory about future of life on earth. James lovelock, who was elected a fellow of the royal society in 1974, is the author of more than 200 scientific papers and the originator of the gaia hypothesis now gaia theory.
In his later years he said that he and many other global climate change activists, like al gore, were too alarmist. Earth is a living entity responds to changes the same way as we do. In contrast to conventional belief that living matter is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis thatthe earth. James lovelock, creator of the gaia hypothesis and the greatest environmental thinker of our time, has produced an astounding new theory about future of life on earth. Gaia hypothesis this was proposed by chemist james lovelock and microbiologist lynn margulis in 1970. A new look at life on earth, the revenge of gaia, the vanishing face of gaia, and a rough ride to the future. Pdf james lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of.
At 100, james lovelock has new ideas about gaia and earths. James lovelock is the originator of the gaia hypothesis now gaia theory. The gaia hypothesis has since been supported by a number of scientific experiments 8 and provided a number of useful predictions, 9 and hence is properly referred to as the gaia theory. Over his long career he has seen his oncecontroversial gaia hypothesis steadily gain significant acceptance among his colleagues. We feel that we belong here as if this planet were indeed our home. In contrast to conventional belief that living matter is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis thatthe earths living matter air, ocean, and land surfaces forms a complex system that has the capacity to keep the earth a fit place for life. James ephraim lovelock, ch, cbe, frs, is an independent scientist, author, researcher, environmentalist, and futurist who lives in devon, england. This suggests the biosphere is a selfregulating system. How james lovelock introduced gaia to an unsuspecting. Climate scientist who originated the gaia hypothesis, which posits that the biosphere is a selfregulating entity that controls the chemical and physical environment around it. James lovelock called his first proposal the gaia hypothesis.
Aug 27, 2010 how james lovelock introduced gaia to an unsuspecting world we have learned so much about our home planet in the three decades since james lovelock wrote gaia. What this book contains is a hypothesis with some strong scientific evidence in parts, and some heavy speculation in other parts. At 100, james lovelock has new ideas about gaia and earth. James lovelocks web site the international homepage. Author of the gaia theory welcome to professor james lovelock s web site. British scientist admits he had extrapolated too far in earlier book. James ephraim lovelock, ch cbe frs born 26 july 1919 is an independent scientist, environmentalist, and futurist.
The gaia theory was developed in the late 1960s by dr. Once in a generation, perhaps, you get to read a book that will change the way. Another form of the strong gaia hypothesis is proposed by guy murchie who extends the quality of a holistic lifeform to galaxies. Tim radford was science editor of the guardian until 2005.
James lovelock age, bio, personal life, family and stats. The gaia hypothesis posits that the earth is alivea self regulating organism in its own right. His gaia hypothesis has gained a tremendous following, though debate about it continues in the scientific and lay communities. James lovelock is an independent scientist, inventor, and author. In contrast to lovelock s later books the revenge of gaia and vanishing gaia, which are dire warnings, gaia is simply the presentation of the original hypothesis, and in a very elegant way at that, to make it accessible to the nonscientist too. Pdf james lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of fact. Lovelock proposes radical theories that contrast markedly with traditional green thinking as well as forecasting in stark detail what may occur if action is not taken. This has been suggested by the gaia hypothesis of james lovelock, stating that the atmosphere is regulated by and for the biosphere.
In contrast to conventional belief that living matter is. Written for nonscientists, 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. A new look at life on earth oxford landmark science new ed by james lovelock isbn. A new look at life on earth oxford landmark science new ed by lovelock, james isbn. So it feels appropriate that he should have retired to. They proposed this earth as a selfregulating complex system to maintain the conditions for life. The renowned british futurist and environmentalist just enjoyed a 100th birthday party with his wife and friends.
Since gaia was first published, many of jim lovelocks. The revenge of gaia is a scientific book by esteemed scientist james lovelock which discusses the effect human activity is having on the planet and what if anything can be done to halt the damage we have already caused. James lovelock bio, facts, family famous birthdays. Optimism has always been baked into lovelocks worldview. 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.
The gaia hypothesis by michael ruse gets to the heart of the. Author of the gaia theory welcome to professor james lovelocks web site. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. James lovelock developed the gaia hypothesis, which argues that the planets earth, water and air interact with evolving life forms in a complex, selfregulating system. Beautiful minds james lovelock the gaia hypothesis. Jun 27, 2019 an excellent overview of these issues is life 3. In the extreme form, strong negative biotic feedbacks on temperature can regulate the global energy balance into a state of homeostasis i. Lovelock states that the initial formulation was based on observation, but still lacked a scientific explanation. Jul 31, 2019 james lovelock, the prophet of gaia, has just celebrated his 100th birthday. James lovelock, a british scientist and inventor, shortly after his work with nasa in determining that there was probably no life on mars. Jun 25, 2019 tim radford was science editor of the guardian until 2005. This suggests the biosphere is a selfregulating system after the development of an instrument in the late 1960s, lovelock was the first to detect the widespread presence of cfcs. We have begun to add a new series of scientific papers by prof lovelock coauthors onto the website.
James lovelock is a worldrenowned scientist and inventor whose work on detecting cfcs chlorofluorocarbons in our environment led him to develop a new theory about our planet. Since gaia was first published, jim lovelocks hypothesis has become a hotly debated topic in scientific circles. The gaia hypothesis has since been supported by a number of scientific experiments20 and provided a number of useful. Lovelock explains that the initial formulation was based on observation, but still lacked a scientific explanation. James lovelock originator of gaia theory and inventor of.
James lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of factvalue dualism article pdf available december 2011 with 1,273 reads how we measure reads. In this classic work that continues to inspire its many readers, james lovelock deftly explains his idea that life on earth functions as a single organism. Gaia hypothesis, model of the earth in which its living and nonliving parts are viewed as a complex interacting system that can be thought of as a single organism. Lovelock proposes radical theories that contrast markedly with traditional green thinking as well as forecasting in stark detail what may occur if action is not. Sep 28, 2000 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. At home in dorset he talks about climate change, green politics, the mysteries of existence, the resilience of the earth and falling in love in old age. James lovelock, the prophet of gaia, has just celebrated his 100th birthday.
The once tentative gaia hypothesis has become part of scientific orthodoxy. Some have hailed gaia as a profound discovery, while others have dismissed. Why did the public love james lovelocks gaia theory so much while scientists hated it. Discover the biography of a foremost pioneer in the development of environmental concepts throughout the world.
James lovelock will always be associated with one big idea. Welcome to the personal website of james lovelock, originator of gaia theory, inventor of the electron capture detector which made possible the detection of cfcs and other atmospheric nanopollutants and of the microwave oven. This video is a supplement to the book, ecological identity. James lovelock english chemist, doctor, and author britannica. Lovelock poses here the experiences and reflections that made him create gaia, the hypothesis that the biosphere is a system that acts to maintain the chemical conditions and temperature of the atmosphere and the seas needed to support life on earth. Science on a pagan planet when james lovelock came up with the gaia hypothesis, today also commonly referred to as gaia theory, he likely didnt know it. The gaia hypothesis posits that the earth is alivea. James lovelock called his first proposal the gaia hypothesis but has also used the term gaia theory. With a phd in medicine, lovelock began his career performing cryopreservation experiments on rodents. Gaia hypothesis village as lovelock at the time bowerchalke, wiltshire, uk. James lovelock and the gaia hypothesis new scientist.
How james lovelock introduced gaia to an unsuspecting world. But, unusually for a scientist, books are his medium of choice. James lovelock, independent scientist, environmentalist, and futurist james lovelock is the originator of the gaia hypothesis now gaia theory. The gaia hypothesis has since been supported by a number of scientific experiments and provided a number of useful predictions. May 18, 2016 this describes the basics of the gaia hypothesis or theory. The books most memorable slogan was actually quipped by a student of margulis. James lovelock english chemist, doctor, and author. The gaia hypothesis, first put forth in the mid1960s, and published in book form in 1975, explores the idea that the life of earth functions as a single organism which actually defines and maintains conditions necessary for its survival. In 1974, at a time of energy crises and political crisis, he came up with his signature idea about life on earth, working in conjunction with evolutionary biologist lynn margulis. James lovelocks theories have become indispensable to anyone responsible for a firms environmental impact. Long ago the greeks, thinking this way, gave to the earth the name gaia or, for short, ge.
Disclaiming the conventional belief that living matter reacts passively in the face of threats to its existence, lovelock argues that the earths living. Aug 17, 2000 james lovelock, gaias grand old man the scientist who first theorized that our planet is a biological organism, not merely a rock, discusses life on earth and the possibilities for its future. The author of more than 200 scientific papers, he was elected a fellow of the royal society in 1974. His research led to profound new insights about life on earth. Sep 14, 2019 james lovelock has a lot to celebrate.
James lovelock, english chemist, medical doctor, scientific instrument developer, and author best known for the creation and promulgation of the gaia hypothesis, an idea rooted in the notion that all life on earth is part of an entity that regulates earths surficial and atmospheric processes. How james lovelock introduced gaia to an unsuspecting world we have learned so much about our home planet in the three decades since james lovelock wrote gaia. Jim lovelock, environmentalist, scientist, and celebrated proposer of the gaia hypothesis, has always taken the long view of earths future. As a science journalist, he met and got to know james lovelock. But for lovelock, the gaia hypothesis will save us, because. James ephraim lovelock ch cbe frs born 26 july 1919 is an independent scientist who lives in devon. This describes the basics of the gaia hypothesis or theory.
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