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Revenge of Gaia - By James Lovelock
Reviewed by Grow and Make editor Will Johnston
James Lovelock conceived of the Gaia hypothese in the 1980's, suggesting that our planet is a homeostatic organism which is self maintaining and possesses a type of consciousness. While many scientists were quick to discount Lovelock's thesis, there were many who adopted the notion that we should treat our planet with the attention and care that one would another sentient being.
Now Lovelock is back with Revenge of Gaia, which is intended to address the dire condition of climate change and he makes some pointed and controversial requirements for averting disaster. Mr. Lovelock has credentials which merit attention, as a Ph.D., NASA Scientist and Geophysicist. However, it's his work as an author that has been the most influential and far-reaching in its contribution to environmental and sustainable thinking.
In his new book Mr. Lovelock makes the radical call for a large investment in nuclear power, which he deems a necessary evil to combat the overwhelming threat we face of extinction in the face of rapidly increasing global warming. He see's the planet as having a "fever" which must be quenched through radical intervention and not long term planning. The fever is the by-product of the human parasite and it's addiction to and irresponsible abuse of energy consumption. The potential for extinction is tied to the planets fever reaching a point where the patients vital signs cease due to systemic overload.
The imminent collapse which Lovelock predicts must be addressed immediately and requires large scale shift in the production of Co2. I believe that Lovelock would be less concerned if the outcome meant that human life would be wiped out, but he is concerned that we will take all other lifeforms with us including the planet itself.
Through broad and comprehensive adoption of nuclear power Lovelock argues that we can rapidly diminish Co2 production
while putting in place a sustainable alternative to the dependency on coal, oil and the emerging bio crop dependent fuels.
I believe that Lovelock is probably right in his belief that we are on a critical path and that the current rate at which we are attempting to address this issue will fall short. With emerging nations unwilling to compromise on their desire for economic prosperity and the developed worlds deeply engrained lifestyles, we do need to make some radical decisions to overcome the potential disaster which looms on the horizon. At the very least Revenge of Gaia is a compelling and thought provoking book worthy of reading and discussion.
Grow and Make is UpFront