“The Gaia Theory” by James Lovelock and Lyn Margulis states that our planetary system is a non-sentient living entity, which via its component parts (organic and nonorganic) maintains conditions for life to exist and thrive.
Mother Earth and Man: A New Outlook
I propose a Cross Epoch Gaian Principle – a new outlook between mother Earth and Man. It is through the matrix of intraspecies connections in climax ecosystems, offering the highest proportional benefits to the apex species found within micro/macro and the entire planetary system(s) of each epoch, that the Gaian system generates homeostatic biospheric conditions within geological time frames.
It is my hypothesis that Gaia left unaltered would, via positive feedback mechanization, increase biogeochemical complexity with each successive epoch, thereby increasing species divergence and formatting a more complex apex species for each era.
It is during epoch transitions that extensive mass extinctions occur. Current scientific reports indicate that during these transitive periods, rapid climate change has occurred. (Note: Evidence now shows regional rapid climate change has happened within epochal time periods as well.)
I speculated several years ago that rapid climate change could form new landscapes/flora bio-regions. These newly created niches would be filled by the less complex life forms that survived geological/local climatic shifts. Due to rapid generations of renewal among these types of living organisms, they would increase exponentially into the new matrix, hence expediting evolution as the fauna adapted to these newly created niche environments.
I surmised the evolutionary process would slow down as a new apex species arose and the planetary biosphere obtained a new homeostasis for that geological time frame. This would tie evolutionary advancements to the flux patterns of the planets biosphere in harmony with both flora and fauna maximum complexity and carrying capacity.
Nine Global Processes of Gaia
Humanity now finds itself at a point where our industrial and agricultural developments have rendered crucial terrestrial life support systems incapable of maintaining the climatic balance of the Holocene. Nine global processes in the Gaian operational system, as defined by planetary boundary science, are the drivers of this imbalance:
- biodiversity loss
- interruption of nitrogen and phosphorus cycles
- ozone depletion
- ocean acidification
- land use changes
- chemical pollution
- freshwater misappropriation
- atmospheric and aerosol loading
- and climate change
Our current industrial civilization is accelerating systemic imbalances, changing the biosphere from the user-friendly Holocene to an unknown Anthropocene. Ushering in this new epoch, our species is upsetting Gaia’s natural processes and possibly destroying the entire biosphere. Will the Gaia system react in time to maintain its progression of increasing biological complexity by generating rapid climate change?
We have within our power, should we choose to exercise it, the ability to repair and stabilize the physical and biological aspects of the world, bringing equilibrium to the crucial terrestrial ecosystems which have fragmented, allowing the thermodynamics of matter and energy flow to dissipate chemical and thermal gradients across global ecosystems reestablishing their function. If we awaken and take this step, we can extend the climatic/biological homeostasis of our current epoch. To do this, we must recognize as a species that we are creating an anthropogenic geological era and unite to mitigate the circumstances.
Isn’t it time for the best and brightest minds from the fields of sociology, psychology and political science to begin work on uniting our species to confront this issue? It would take changing the sociological and psychological outlook of our species, via an epistemology of environmental ethos, creating a new global polity which would have to be force-fed to the masses. This would probably take a generation or two to instill within the population of the globe.
This new paradigm should be based on holistic natural laws and the masses can be brought along after action is started. The leadership of the globe, both political and economic must be made to see this. I side with the minority who believe we have a very narrow window of opportunity left to take action.
Urgency!
Believe me when I say, I hope I am very wrong about this. Anyone, however, who is even partially cognizant of the ecological deterioration and atmospheric/hydrological instability of the planet, understands the urgency faced by humanity. Action to stem the environmental collapse, in my opinion, needs to begin in the near future.
Unfortunately, I saw an interview on TV with James Lovelock, and I was so disappointed to learn that he felt he had been wrong about many of his theories. When asked about the future for energy, Lovelock said that while he disagreed in principle with Tracking, he felt that we would have no choice but to pursue it to meet energy demands.
Sorry… “Tracking” should read “Tracking”… I’m trying to get used to tapping out on an android tablet, instead of real typing. Apologies.
Sorry… “Tracking” should read “Fracking”… I’m trying to get used to tapping out on an android tablet, instead of real typing. Apologies.
I have heard that James Lovelock backed off his theories in order to maintain some privacy in his life. I speculate that at his age all he wants is to be surrounded by his gardens and countryside home. Who knows, perhaps he has changed his mind. I somehow doubt it although. I know of the television interview he did Colette.
Yes, he looked like a man who’d given up on ‘fighting his corner’ in that interview… I’m sure you’re right Anthony…l have always thought his theories to be very in-tune with our planet!
While you mention how life will change rapidly in our current phase of climate change, you are not alone Anthony… Prominent people in the scientific field echo your sentiments in the urgency of the situation, and have issued public statements indicating their concerns. BBC naturalist, David Attenborough, said in 2013 that the human race will face extinction in as little as 50 years from now, if we do not change our ways and move away from fossil fuels and tackle the overpopulation issues. I wonder why Governments are not following. such sage advice… Perhaps as you say…as the general Weastern population seems so indifferent to the threat…they need a really big wake-up call!
Yes, Colette, James Hansen along with others echo their concerns to Congress and to the people here as well. The sad thing is most people can not perceive a long-term threat. We, as a species are still hard-wired to think in terms of short-term survival. The masses are but frogs in a kettle, with the temperature slowly rising.
I keep an eye on the science reports from a various field of news agencies. They report on pieces that go to the journals. I should start collecting them again since I have re-engaged in writing about the subject after a sabbatical of sorts. My info about the rapid climate came from anthropological and geological reports released in the past 12-18 months. Of course it is better to have been able to site them.
Take care and I hope all who read this will at least give a pause to consider the implications and possibilities herein described. I realize, it runs contrary to the academic status quo. It is however, very much on the cutting edge of science research and studies.
AJG.