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Book Reviews
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The Revenge of Gaia
by James Lovelock
(Penguin, UK, 2006)
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Dr. James Lovelock is the independent environmental scientist who came up with the Gaia Theory, that the Earth is a dynamic system of self-regulatory biological and geological components that work together to keep the planet fit for life. While the Gaia Theory was first met with skepticism, it is now accepted by most scientists.
In his latest book, Dr. Lovelock relates his suspicions that the planet has already passed the point of no return for global climate change. He bases his assessment on the analysis of diverse evidence from around the world. Dr. Lovelock believes that industrial emissions have already triggered positive feedback mechanisms that will themselves increase the effects of global climate change even if humans now move to curb their own contributions.
He advises the world’s governments to plan on how to secure food and energy in a global environment run amok, and warns that coastal cities must be protected from rising sea levels. He expects a population crash, with the survivors living in what is presently the Arctic, and a few other places on the planet.
While I agree that our situation is dire, and with all due respect for Dr. Lovelock, I do believe there is a chance yet to avoid such a gloomy future. While the threshold is certainly very close, I do not believe we have crossed the point of no return with regard to Global Climate Change. But do not breathe easy. To avoid a disaster such as Dr. Lovelock describes will require us to stop everything we are doing now, and devote all of our efforts — every one of us — to evolving a new lifestyle based on sustainability, remediation, and a healthy stewardship of the planet. You can read my own assessment of global warming here.
Once again, I have to say that while the outlook is very bleak, we cannot give up hope. Those who give up hope, give up.
Dale Allen Pfeiffer
(Go to http://www.lulu.com/allenadale for details of his work on
Global Warming and Peak Oil.)
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