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Ecology
The
Gaia Theory: Syntropy for a Lively Planet
We live at a planet which is both well organised
and beautiful.
Does this mean that the Earth is alive?
The answer is ‘yes’, in a way –
according to the supporters of the Gaia theory. This theory shows that
there are great similarities between the Earth and a biological organism
and that the Earth in many ways can be understood as a living system.
Both the Earth and living beings have systemic properties that safeguard
stability of temperature and the circulation of large numbers of
chemical substances. Together these systemic properties secure the
favourable conditions for life.
When the Gaia theory first was
developed in the early 1970’s, its creator was first met with a mixture
of silence and highly sceptical comments. Since then we have got much
more attention about ecological problems generally – and the impending
climatic crisis specially – and ever more scientists have started
looking for systemic properties in an ecological context. Accordingly
the perspectives of the Gaia theory have to a large extent become
included in updated discussions about the climate. James Lovelock has
become honorary professor of several universities, including the
University of Oslo. The Gaia theory is now mentioned as “symbiosis seen
from outer space”.
Here you may read the story of
how the Gaia theory came into being:
To discover a living planet.
Who-what-where about James Lovelock’s Gaia theory.
Links to sources in English:
Wikipedia about Gaia
The web site
Gaiatheory has many
links to scientific information about the Gaia theory
Literature in Norwegian:
Lovelock, James: ‘Gaia.
Vår levende jord’ , Dreyers forlag A/S, 1990.
Lovelock, James: ‘Gaia.
Søkelys på jordens helsetilstand’, . J.W. Cappelens forlag
Lovelock, James: ’Gaias hevn’,
Spartacus 2006
The photos at this page are
taken from NASA and public.domain.photos.com
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