Gaia: A New Look at Life on EarthOUP Oxford, 28 sept 2000 - 176 páginas In 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. |
Dentro del libro
Resultados 1-5 de 11
Página vii
... our understanding of our own planet . We were naturally fearful of the consequences of a hot war fought with nuclear weapons and knew that at the least it would destroy the civilizations of the combatants . These real Preface.
... our understanding of our own planet . We were naturally fearful of the consequences of a hot war fought with nuclear weapons and knew that at the least it would destroy the civilizations of the combatants . These real Preface.
Página viii
... Nuclear Disarmament ( CND ) and it became the first international environmental movement . So pressing were our anxieties over the consequences of nuclear war that at times it seemed that nuclear radiation was the quintessence of our ...
... Nuclear Disarmament ( CND ) and it became the first international environmental movement . So pressing were our anxieties over the consequences of nuclear war that at times it seemed that nuclear radiation was the quintessence of our ...
Página 14
... nuclear explosion . The stupendous amount of light , heat , and hard radiation produced by a supernova event equals at its peak the total output of all the other stars in the galaxy . Explosions are seldom one hundred per cent efficient ...
... nuclear explosion . The stupendous amount of light , heat , and hard radiation produced by a supernova event equals at its peak the total output of all the other stars in the galaxy . Explosions are seldom one hundred per cent efficient ...
Página 15
... nuclear reactors have existed since long before man , and a fossil natural nuclear reactor was recently discovered in Gabon , in Africa . It was in action two aeons ago when U235 was only a few per cent . We can therefore be fairly ...
... nuclear reactors have existed since long before man , and a fossil natural nuclear reactor was recently discovered in Gabon , in Africa . It was in action two aeons ago when U235 was only a few per cent . We can therefore be fairly ...
Página 16
... nuclear radiation may even have been beneficial , since it must have hastened the essential process of trial and error by dismantling the mistakes and regenerating the basic chemical spare parts . Above all , it would have hastened the ...
... nuclear radiation may even have been beneficial , since it must have hastened the essential process of trial and error by dismantling the mistakes and regenerating the basic chemical spare parts . Above all , it would have hastened the ...
Índice
1 | |
12 | |
3 The recognition of Gaia | 30 |
4 Cybernetics | 44 |
5 The contemporary atmosphere | 59 |
6 The sea | 78 |
the problem of pollution | 100 |
8 Living within Gaia | 115 |
9 Epilogue | 133 |
Definitions and explanations of terms | 143 |
Further reading | 147 |
Otras ediciones - Ver todo
Gaia:A New Look at Life on Earth: A New Look at Life on Earth James Lovelock No hay ninguna vista previa disponible - 2000 |
Términos y frases comunes
acid activity aeons amount animals appeared areas atmosphere become biological biosphere called capacity carbon dioxide cause cent chapter chemical chloride complex components compounds concentration consequences consider constant continue course creatures cybernetic early Earth effect electric elements energy environment equilibrium essential evidence example existence fact fire forces function Gaia Gaian gases happen heat human hydrogen idea important increase industrial keep land layer least less limits living Mars material matter means measure methane methyl million natural nitrogen oceans organisms oven oxide oxygen ozone perhaps planet pollution positive possible potential present probably problem production quantities reducing regions regulation rocks salinity salt scale scientific scientists seems space species substances suggested sulphur supply surface temperature things thought tion