Gaia: A New Look at Life on EarthOxford University Press, 2016 - 148 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. |
Spis treści
1 Introductory | 1 |
2 In the beginning | 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 |
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Kluczowe wyrazy i wyrażenia
abundance acid activity aeons ago algae ammonia anaerobic animals atmosphere atoms biological biosphere capacity carbon dioxide cell cent chapter chemical chemistry chlorofluorocarbons climate complex composition compounds concentration consequences constant continental shelves control system creatures cybernetic depleted dimethyl sulphide Earth Earth's surface ecosystems effect electric elements energy entropy environment environmental equilibrium example existence feedback fire fossil fuel Gaia hypothesis Gaia's Gaian gases global habitats half aeons heat human hydrogen increase industrial inorganic iodine ions land lifeless living organisms living things Lynn Margulis Mars methane methyl chloride methyl iodide micro-organisms million molecules natural nitrogen nitrous oxide nuclear numbers oceans oven oxygen ozone layer photosynthesis planet planetary poisonous pollution possible potential present problem production quantities regions regulation rocks salinity salt sand-castle scientific scientists seems sodium sodium chloride space species stratosphere substances sulphur survival temperature tion tropical ultra-violet water vapour