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James Lovelock Research Paper

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James Lovelock is a scientist, environmentalist, and futurist from Dorset, England who is greatly known for proposing his Gaia Hypothesis in the 1960s. He had his own belief that the Earth was its own self-regulating, independent system. This complex system is made up of biotic and abiotic factors that interact, and evolve together to form a single organism. Although many environmentalists do agree with Lovelock's ideas, there are also scientists who do not accept his ideas. Many scientists disagree with him due to their belief in the contradiction of natural selection. Lovelock first formulated this hypothesis while working with NASA to detect whether there is life on Mars in September 1965. The difference in the chemical equilibrium on …show more content…

The Earth is thought to be a self regulating system, and considered a living organism that optimizes conditions of life for itself. This system as a whole has homeostatic mechanisms that are responsible for maintaining a physical and chemical environment that is fit for life on the planet. Processes such as the interaction of living forms such as microorganisms with inorganic elements are essential for sustaining conditions of life. These processes establish a global control system that is in charge of many different variables such as: controlling the global temperature, atmospheric content, and the ocean salinity.
There were many scientists that did not agree with Lovelock's ideas. Many of these scientists were evolutionary scientists who supported Darwin’s trait of natural selection. Natural selection is how life is maintained through the competition between individuals for reproductive success. Evolutionary biologists do not believe that Earth was produced by natural selection, and therefore, do not think it is a living thing. d
Many people continue to support Lovelock’s Gaia theory today. A very wide variety of ecosystems and individual organisms working together to create one living thing is beyond fascinating. However, Lovelock’s research is still very controversial. The question still remains whether life manipulates the planet and its processes for itself,

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