Life On Earth-like Planets: Gaia And Her Sisters PDF Download
Are you looking for read ebook online? Search for your book and save it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Download Life On Earth-like Planets: Gaia And Her Sisters PDF full book. Access full book title Life On Earth-like Planets: Gaia And Her Sisters by Gerald E Marsh. Download full books in PDF and EPUB format.
Author: Gerald E Marsh Publisher: World Scientific ISBN: 9811295093 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 164
Book Description
From its ancient Greek roots to Lovelock's groundbreaking 1979 book, the concept of Gaia has evolved to depict Earth as a single, intricate organism sustaining life through the interplay of its organic and inorganic elements. From the Hadean epoch, where life's emergence radically transformed our planet, to the present, Earth stands as our sole model for understanding life's potential on other Earth-like worlds. While the lifeforms that evolve on Earth-like planets would not necessarily be identical to those on Earth, they must satisfy the same constraints. These constraints are the central subject of this book.Exploring Earth's early conditions during the Hadean era, when oceans dominated and oxygen was scarce, the book illuminates the daunting challenges life faced. Yet, life found its foothold, driven by thermodynamic favorability amidst high tides and shorter days, laying the groundwork for its inevitable emergence. Delving into the fundamental principles of matter and quantum mechanics, the book further highlights life's origin as a product of complex molecular interactions overcoming energy constraints. With insights into the statistical approach to life's origins and the fallacies in estimating life's probability on other planets, the book redefines life as a natural process governed by universal laws.As an underlying theme of this book, life's evolution towards complexity is portrayed as a harmonious extension of non-living processes, challenging the limited conventional view of thermodynamics. Readers will come to appreciate that Earth is a testament to life's resilience and the intricate tapestry woven by biochemical forces across the cosmos.
Author: Gerald E Marsh Publisher: World Scientific ISBN: 9811295093 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 164
Book Description
From its ancient Greek roots to Lovelock's groundbreaking 1979 book, the concept of Gaia has evolved to depict Earth as a single, intricate organism sustaining life through the interplay of its organic and inorganic elements. From the Hadean epoch, where life's emergence radically transformed our planet, to the present, Earth stands as our sole model for understanding life's potential on other Earth-like worlds. While the lifeforms that evolve on Earth-like planets would not necessarily be identical to those on Earth, they must satisfy the same constraints. These constraints are the central subject of this book.Exploring Earth's early conditions during the Hadean era, when oceans dominated and oxygen was scarce, the book illuminates the daunting challenges life faced. Yet, life found its foothold, driven by thermodynamic favorability amidst high tides and shorter days, laying the groundwork for its inevitable emergence. Delving into the fundamental principles of matter and quantum mechanics, the book further highlights life's origin as a product of complex molecular interactions overcoming energy constraints. With insights into the statistical approach to life's origins and the fallacies in estimating life's probability on other planets, the book redefines life as a natural process governed by universal laws.As an underlying theme of this book, life's evolution towards complexity is portrayed as a harmonious extension of non-living processes, challenging the limited conventional view of thermodynamics. Readers will come to appreciate that Earth is a testament to life's resilience and the intricate tapestry woven by biochemical forces across the cosmos.
Author: James Lovelock Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0198784880 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 169
Book Description
Gaia, in which James Lovelock puts forward his inspirational and controversial idea that the Earth functions as a single organism, with life influencing planetary processes to form a self-regulating system aiding its own survival, is now a classic work that continues to provoke heated scientific debate.
Author: David Suzuki Publisher: Greystone Books ISBN: 1926685490 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 368
Book Description
In this extensively revised and enlarged edition of his best-selling book, David Suzuki reflects on the increasingly radical changes in nature and science — from global warming to the science behind mother/baby interactions — and examines what they mean for humankind’s place in the world. The book begins by presenting the concept of people as creatures of the Earth who depend on its gifts of air, water, soil, and sun energy. The author explains how people are genetically programmed to crave the company of other species, and how people suffer enormously when they fail to live in harmony with them. Suzuki analyzes those deep spiritual needs, rooted in nature, that are a crucial component of a loving world. Drawing on his own experiences and those of others who have put their beliefs into action, The Sacred Balance is a powerful, passionate book with concrete suggestions for creating an ecologically sustainable, satisfying, and fair future by rediscovering and addressing humanity’s basic needs.
Author: Charles H. Langmuir Publisher: Princeton University Press ISBN: 1400841976 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 737
Book Description
A classic introduction to the story of Earth's origin and evolution—revised and expanded for the twenty-first century Since its first publication more than twenty-five years ago, How to Build a Habitable Planet has established a legendary reputation as an accessible yet scientifically impeccable introduction to the origin and evolution of Earth, from the Big Bang through the rise of human civilization. This classic account of how our habitable planet was assembled from the stuff of stars introduced readers to planetary, Earth, and climate science by way of a fascinating narrative. Now this great book has been made even better. Harvard geochemist Charles Langmuir has worked closely with the original author, Wally Broecker, one of the world's leading Earth scientists, to revise and expand the book for a new generation of readers for whom active planetary stewardship is becoming imperative. Interweaving physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology, and biology, this sweeping account tells Earth’s complete story, from the synthesis of chemical elements in stars, to the formation of the Solar System, to the evolution of a habitable climate on Earth, to the origin of life and humankind. The book also addresses the search for other habitable worlds in the Milky Way and contemplates whether Earth will remain habitable as our influence on global climate grows. It concludes by considering the ways in which humankind can sustain Earth’s habitability and perhaps even participate in further planetary evolution. Like no other book, How to Build a Habitable Planet provides an understanding of Earth in its broadest context, as well as a greater appreciation of its possibly rare ability to sustain life over geologic time. Leading schools that have ordered, recommended for reading, or adopted this book for course use: Arizona State University Brooklyn College CUNY Columbia University Cornell University ETH Zurich Georgia Institute of Technology Harvard University Johns Hopkins University Luther College Northwestern University Ohio State University Oxford Brookes University Pan American University Rutgers University State University of New York at Binghamton Texas A&M University Trinity College Dublin University of Bristol University of California-Los Angeles University of Cambridge University Of Chicago University of Colorado at Boulder University of Glasgow University of Leicester University of Maine, Farmington University of Michigan University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Georgia University of Nottingham University of Oregon University of Oxford University of Portsmouth University of Southampton University of Ulster University of Victoria University of Wyoming Western Kentucky University Yale University
Author: Stephan Harding Publisher: Simon and Schuster ISBN: 1591434262 Category : Body, Mind & Spirit Languages : en Pages : 453
Book Description
• Examines how integrating important alchemical images with Gaian science can offer insights into our interconnectedness with Gaia • Looks at how the four components of the living earth--biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere--mesh with the four elements of alchemical theory and the four functions of consciousness as understood by depth psychology • Offers guided meditations and contemplative exercises to open your receptivity to messages from the biosphere and help you connect more deeply with Gaia During the scientific revolution, science and soul were drastically separated, propelling humanity into four centuries of scientific exploration based solely on empiricism and rationality. But, as scientist and ecologist Stephan Harding, Ph.D., demonstrates in detail, by reintegrating science with profound personal experiences of psyche and soul, we can reclaim our lost sacred wholeness and help heal ourselves and our planet. The book begins with compelling introductions to depth psychology, alchemy, and Gaia theory--the science of seeing the Earth as an intelligent, self-regulating system, a theory pioneered by the author’s mentor James Lovelock. Harding then explores how alchemy, as understood through the depth psychology of C. G. Jung, offers us powerful methods of reuniting rationality and intuition, science and soul. He examines the integration of important alchemical engravings, including those from L’Azoth des Philosophes and the Rosarium Philosophorum, with Gaian science. He shows how the seven key alchemical operations in the Azoth image can help us develop deeply transformative experiences and insights into our interconnectedness with Gaia. He then looks at how the four components of the living Earth--biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere--mesh not only with the four elements of alchemical theory but also with the four functions of consciousness from depth psychology. Woven throughout with the author’s own experiences of Gaia alchemy, the book also offers guided meditations and contemplative exercises to open your receptivity to messages from the biosphere and help you develop your own Gaian alchemical way of life, full of wonder and healing.
Author: Stanley A. Rice, Ph.D Publisher: Prometheus Books ISBN: 1616142731 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 255
Book Description
In this portrait of Planet Earth-at just about the mid point of its probable lifespan-a biologist discusses the evolution of the network of life and the crucial role played by humans in determining the future of our world.Unlike most books on earth history, which present the story of life on our planet in terms of one chronological period after another, the author discusses Earth''s teeming diversity in terms of pivotal evolutionary developments. Among these he stresses the importance of symbiosis, sex, and altruism as key determinants of the Earth''s biodiversity. Symbiosis-when single cells began working together-sparked the sudden appearance of complex animals. Much later symbiotic relationships led to flowering plants that depended on animals for pollination and seed dispersal. With the advent of sexual selection, there developed an astonishing world of complex behavior and a dizzying array of life forms. In humans, sexual selection exerted a great influence on the development of our large brains. Altruism-when species learned to work together-resulted in even greater variety and complexity. In early humans, altruism gave rise to ever-widening social circles and the spread of culture. The author also discusses the role of photosynthesis in establishing and maintaining life on earth; the evidence for ancient natural catastrophes, which caused widespread extinctions; and the importance of religion and the recent use of scientific reasoning in the development and the future of the human species. This eloquent, panoramic perspective is well designed to foster an appreciation for the scope of life on Earth and to encourage wise stewardship of the natural world on which our survival depends.
Author: J. E. Lovelock Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks ISBN: 0192862189 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 169
Book Description
This classic work is reissued with a new preface by the author. Written for non-scientists the idea is put forward that life on Earth functions as a single organism.
Author: Sarah Drew Publisher: ISBN: 9780692211663 Category : End of the world Languages : en Pages : 343
Book Description
An Ancient Wisdom Text Revealed . . . Both an ancient, "found" wisdom text and a sumptuous, epic novel, Gaia Codex reveals the hidden histories of a world long forgotten, the secret wisdom of an ancient lineage of women, the Priestesses of Astera. Set in a near future of impending societal and environmental collapse, the novel is a tale of hope and remembrance, as well as an inspired vision of humanity's origins and of the potential we hold for conscious evolution.
Author: Toby Tyrrell Publisher: Princeton University Press ISBN: 1400847915 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 325
Book Description
A critical examination of James Lovelock's controversial Gaia hypothesis One of the enduring questions about our planet is how it has remained continuously habitable over vast stretches of geological time despite the fact that its atmosphere and climate are potentially unstable. James Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis posits that life itself has intervened in the regulation of the planetary environment in order to keep it stable and favorable for life. First proposed in the 1970s, Lovelock's hypothesis remains highly controversial and continues to provoke fierce debate. On Gaia undertakes the first in-depth investigation of the arguments put forward by Lovelock and others—and concludes that the evidence doesn't stack up in support of Gaia. Toby Tyrrell draws on the latest findings in fields as diverse as climate science, oceanography, atmospheric science, geology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. He takes readers to obscure corners of the natural world, from southern Africa where ancient rocks reveal that icebergs were once present near the equator, to mimics of cleaner fish on Indonesian reefs, to blind fish deep in Mexican caves. Tyrrell weaves these and many other intriguing observations into a comprehensive analysis of the major assertions and lines of argument underpinning Gaia, and finds that it is not a credible picture of how life and Earth interact. On Gaia reflects on the scientific evidence indicating that life and environment mutually affect each other, and proposes that feedbacks on Earth do not provide robust protection against the environment becoming uninhabitable—or against poor stewardship by us.
Author: Gerald E Marsh
Author: Gerald E Marsh
Author: James Lovelock
Author: David Suzuki
Author: Charles H. Langmuir
Author: Stephan Harding
Author: Stanley A. Rice, Ph.D
Author: J. E. Lovelock
Author: Sarah Drew
Author: Stephen Henry Schneider
Author: Toby Tyrrell