Gaia: A New Look at Life on EarthOUP Oxford, 28 wrz 2000 - 176 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. |
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Strona xi
... million tons a year , as was thought by scientists twenty - six years ago . I have tried to define that vague word “ biosphere . Originally , it was a precise geographical term defining the region of the Earth where living organisms ...
... million tons a year , as was thought by scientists twenty - six years ago . I have tried to define that vague word “ biosphere . Originally , it was a precise geographical term defining the region of the Earth where living organisms ...
Strona xviii
... millions of years . These changes still go on and ever faster as our numbers grow . Ominously nothing yet seems to have happened more noticeable than the ozone hole over Antarctica . Most politicians believe that all we need is growth ...
... millions of years . These changes still go on and ever faster as our numbers grow . Ominously nothing yet seems to have happened more noticeable than the ozone hole over Antarctica . Most politicians believe that all we need is growth ...
Strona 6
... million tons of this gas must be introduced into the atmosphere yearly . In addition , there must be some means of replacing the oxygen used up in oxidizing methane and this requires a production of at least twice as much oxygen as ...
... million tons of this gas must be introduced into the atmosphere yearly . In addition , there must be some means of replacing the oxygen used up in oxidizing methane and this requires a production of at least twice as much oxygen as ...
Strona 9
... million years ago . From that time until now , the presence of fossils shows that the Earth's climate has changed very little . Yet the output of heat from the sun , the surface properties of the Earth , and the composition of the ...
... million years ago . From that time until now , the presence of fossils shows that the Earth's climate has changed very little . Yet the output of heat from the sun , the surface properties of the Earth , and the composition of the ...
Strona 11
... equally depressing picture of our planet as a demented spaceship , forever travelling , driverless and purposeless , around an inner circle of the sun . In scientific usage , an aeon represents 1,000 million years Introductory 11.
... equally depressing picture of our planet as a demented spaceship , forever travelling , driverless and purposeless , around an inner circle of the sun . In scientific usage , an aeon represents 1,000 million years Introductory 11.
Spis treści
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 |
Inne wydania - Wyświetl wszystko
Gaia:A New Look at Life on Earth: A New Look at Life on Earth James Lovelock Podgląd niedostępny - 2000 |
Kluczowe wyrazy i wyrażenia
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