"This has been a beautiful world"

[OrmRenewed]

James Lovelock on Today. It made me want to weep. I read Gaia back in the 80s and it struck a chord with me. I wanted it to be true - that the earth could/would preserve itself when under threat, even from us. But he seems to be saying that there is nothing we can do to stop global warming and Gaia is changing dramatically already.

I feel sorry for my poor DC. I wish they could have the world as I knew it when I was a child.

I read Gaia awhile ago but then had a long discussion with someone where he convinced me that I better hope it was not true.
He pointed our that the best way for Gaia to survive would be to get rid of us. It may change dramatically but would still be okay but not in a life supporting way. SCary stuff!

Well strangely that is what I found comforting - I'd rather the earth survived in a viable form even if it meant we didn't. It's too horrific to think that the only livable planet in the universe (as far as we know) would be left barren and dead.

I can't remember which documentary it was, something last year, and they were saying this...that the earth will survive, because it always has done. We are fucked obviously, (but probably deserve it) but Gaia will trudge on regardless.

I liked the idea, found it very peaceful.

well yes, I think at some point the human race will win the ultimate Darwin Award

It is a bit arrogant of us to think we can change the destiny of the whole planet & ultimately the universe, no matter what your view on global warming and the like

there is a very good series on at the moment BBC2 about the solar system, makes you realise just how utterly insignificant we are

hope that cheered you all up

foosa - It does cheer me up! If we are really so insignificant then our screwing up of the world can only be cock-up not conspiracy.

riven - that is true but there were other factors that enabled life on earth to develop after that phase ended. If you watch the program that foosa referred to you realise just how bloody unlikely it was that earth became inhabitable. Nowehere else in the solar system is.

boys - yep we are the rightful recipients of the ultimate Darwin

It is comforting in a strange way to know that Gaia could get rid of us all and possibly start all over again, maybe the dinosaurs were damaging the planet in some unknown way
Still, I'd rather she waited a few hundred years!