Guide to gaia

by Michael Allaby

Describes the Gaia hypothesis, the theory that the earth functions as a single superorganism, details the effects of pollution, and suggests implications for the future

180 pages, Paperback

First published August 24, 1989

About the author

John Michael Allaby was a British author and actor. He was the Aventis Junior prize-winner.

Reviews

[Michael Helm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short guide to the Gaia proposition written ca 1990 by a co-author to one of the Gaia proposition's founders. The Gaia proposition, or hypothesis, is that the earth is or has become a gigantic system that resembles a living being - perhaps we should consider it as one.

This book is ok as a brief, not-too-technical introduction to the Gaia proposition, but the material itself is dated. A lot has been learned in 30 years about the origins of the earth, geochemistry, climate, biological complexity, and it's obvious there's much more coming. The book would need a rewrite to stay in step.

There are critical reviews available. This one, for instance
https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2023...
reviews a book-length critical review and points to several other books. The point is made that the Gaia hypothesis is important whether it is true or not for the thinking and discussion it has generated over the decades.