Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth by Lovelock, James

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Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth Subsequent Edition

by James Lovelock (Author)

4.5 561 ratings

Part of: Oxford Landmark Science (19 books)

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Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth (Oxford Landmark Science)

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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. Written for the non-scientist, 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 living matter-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. Here, in a new Preface, Lovelock outlines his present state of the debate.

Book Description

The classic work that argues that our planet is a living organism

About the Author

James Lovelock is an independent scientist, inventor, and author. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974 and in 1990 was awarded the first Amsterdam Prize for the Environment by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. One of his inventions is the electron capture detector, which was important in the development of environmental awareness. It revealed for the first time the ubiquitous distribution of pesticide residues. He co-operated with NASA and some of his inventions were adopted in their programme of planetary exploration.

ISBN-10

0192862189
ISBN-13

978-0192862181
Edition

Subsequent
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

November 23, 2000
Part of series

Oxford Landmark Science
Language

English
Dimensions

5 x 0.25 x 7.5 inches
Print length

176 pages
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; Subsequent edition (November 23, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0192862189
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0192862181
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.25 x 7.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,728,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #479 in Environmental Studies
- #3,084 in Ecology (Books)
- #3,866 in Environmental Science (Books)

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Imagine an organism as big as Earth!

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2003

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Reading Edward Wilson's "The Future of Life" served as the spark to pick up and read this book. And its true, good things do come in small packages. The book is all of 140 pages, and is written in a lean, but not glossed-over style. Robert Lovelock (to my knowledge) is the contemporary father of the study of the earth as a complete living system.
Lovelock readily admits that the book serves more to promote the dialog about our planet as a living, breathing whole and to share key discoveries that support his concept. (He states in the Preface that his follow-on book, "The Ages of Gaia" aims to build the scientific argument to the Gaia theory.)

By no means, does Lovelock detour around the science that supports his case. With the scope of the topic requiring knowledge of both physical and biological science, and the small number of pages, he manages to instruct and create a sense of awe in a short amount of time.
The 3 major principles he brings to light about Gaia are:
1. Gaia exhibits a tendency to keep conditions (e.g., temperature, air quality) constant for all terrestrial life.
2. Like other living systems, Gaia has vital organs at the core, and expandable or redundant ones on the periphery.
3. Under the worse conditions, Gaia responses similar to other cybernetic systems (i.e., where time constant and loop gain are important)
The material is far reaching in both its scope and in shaping our understanding of where we stand. Put in the context of Gaia, we have straddled ourselves to the largest of all known living and breathing creatures.

24 people found this helpful

A valuable macro view of planet Earth

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2012

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An intriguing new look at our planet. Lovelock extols the need for a more holistic approach to science after its centuries of moving towards ever more specialization and reductionism. 'Gaia' is the metaphor for his top-down look at Earth - literally - and what makes it 'tick'. He makes the reader aware of the adaptability of life to whatever conditions prevail and the consequent near-impossibility of achieving lasting equilibrium (as of a dead planet). He describes the complex interaction of atmosphere and sea as well as the impact of life thereon both from organisms on land and in the sea, and he raises interesting questions about the nature of pollution. All this leads to his hypothesis (now known as the Gaia Theory) that Earth - through the life it spawned - is itself a self regulating living system, where planetary homeostasis is achieved and maintained by living organisms.

In 'Living with Gaia' he discusses two mainstream views: man as Earth's steward and man as Earth's tragedy or even its scourge, but avoids a direct answer by emphasizing the cybernetic qualities of Gaia. All he says is, that man being a part of that system, but also with the ability to influence it significantly, may play a role in it - for better or worse.

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 non-scientist too.

11 people found this helpful

Interesting Hypothesis in Somewhat Convoluted Form

Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2000

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James Lovelock has created a powerful and interesting argument in this book that will keep scientists busy for centuries. He notices that there is an ability for the Earth to maintain relatively constant conditions in temperature, atmosphere, salinity and pH of the oceans, and reductions in pollutants that defies the simple observations of what "should" happen. From this, he concludes that there is a complex of physical, chemical and biological interrelationships that work like a living organism, which he defines as the Gaia Hypothesis. For defining that concept and providing some of the measurements to establish its premises, he deserves a 7 star rating.
Unfortunately, the argument is expressed in overlong and convoluted fashion. He deliberately limits himself to a nonscientific explanation in this book. The scientific version of the argument is in The Ages of Gaia. Although the book is not long, it certainly could have been condensed into a longish article for Scientific American or The Atlantic Monthly. My second quibble is that the editor was nowhere in sight on the organization of the book. The key point is often buried in the third sentence of the last paragraph in a chapter. The argument in between wanders into all kinds of places where it doesn't need to go. For organization and editing, I give this book a one star rating.
So the average is a 4 star rating. The writing itself is pleasant enough. Don't let the lack of organization and editing put you off, for it is worth your while to read this book. It will remind you of the benefits of the sort of sytems thinking that Peter Senge talks about in The Fifth Discipline.
The other thing you will learn is the weakness of scientific work that fails to develop enough field data and to connect enough with other disciplines. I was struck by the same observations recently while visiting environmental scientists at the Smithsonian Institution. The basics in many of these areas have yet to be measured and evaluated. This book will point countless generations forward in understanding how our plant maintains its environment that permits life to flourish. Clearly, it is a stallbusting effort to replace "stalled" thinking about the history and future of the Earth. I found the key questions (such as why doesn't the ocean become more saline?) to be irresistible. I think you will, too. Enjoy and think!

55 people found this helpful

Still an amazing read

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021

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I read this when it first came out. Some critics made fun of Lovelock but he sure made sense to me. Now most of them are in agreement. He explains complex concepts in very clear language and some how captures the vital, dynamic, ever-changing interactive nature of all that is 'earth', all processes living in connection and response to each other. What indigenous people who live close to nature have always understood.

5 people found this helpful

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Dominic Holloway

Perfect introduction into climate science

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2023

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If you want to get a deep understanding on how complex the environment is this is a must

Antonio Ballesteros González

Magnífica y lúcida teoría

Reviewed in Spain on October 19, 2021

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Aun tratándose de un libro de carácter científico, es inteligible y revelador. Excelente.

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Giulia

Bel libro

Reviewed in Italy on August 30, 2021

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Offre buoni spunti di riflessione

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ANA CRISTINA KLOSTERMANN

Chegou no prazo

Reviewed in Brazil on May 25, 2020

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Perfeito

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Bleadon

still relevant

Reviewed in Canada on March 12, 2020

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This a book written for non science types. I am still not certain the Earth is a living entity - Gaia but there are checks and balances that keep the environment habitable. As long as humans don't destroy some of the control mechanisms then the planet will support us. I liked the book because it is close to my own views on humans and climate. Th author also presents a case for the linkages between the soil, atmosphere, and oceans. It all seems reasonable. There are still holes in the arguments but it gives something to debate.

One person found this helpful

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