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
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Página viii
... survive without a healthy planet as our home . I wrote this book when we were only just beginning to glimpse the true nature of our planet and I wrote it as a story of discovery . If you are someone wanting to know for the first time ...
... survive without a healthy planet as our home . I wrote this book when we were only just beginning to glimpse the true nature of our planet and I wrote it as a story of discovery . If you are someone wanting to know for the first time ...
Página 3
... and automatic , and our fellow - creatures in the animal world appear to have the same facility . This powerful and effective but unconscious process of recognition no doubt originally evolved as a survival factor . Anything Introductory 3.
... and automatic , and our fellow - creatures in the animal world appear to have the same facility . This powerful and effective but unconscious process of recognition no doubt originally evolved as a survival factor . Anything Introductory 3.
Página 4
... survival factor . Anything living may be edible , lethal , friendly , aggressive , or a potential mate , all questions of prime significance for our welfare and continued existence . However , our automatic recognition system appears to ...
... survival factor . Anything living may be edible , lethal , friendly , aggressive , or a potential mate , all questions of prime significance for our welfare and continued existence . However , our automatic recognition system appears to ...
Página 9
... . The climate and the chemical properties of the Earth now and throughout its history seem always to have been optimal for life . For this to have happened by chance is as unlikely as to survive unscathed Introductory 9.
... . The climate and the chemical properties of the Earth now and throughout its history seem always to have been optimal for life . For this to have happened by chance is as unlikely as to survive unscathed Introductory 9.
Página 10
... survive unscathed a drive blindfold through rush - hour traffic . By now a planet - sized entity , albeit hypothetical , had been born , with properties which could not be predicted from the sum of its parts . It needed a name ...
... survive unscathed a drive blindfold through rush - hour traffic . By now a planet - sized entity , albeit hypothetical , had been born , with properties which could not be predicted from the sum of its parts . It needed a name ...
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