Question

Do you think that "Gaia Theory" or "Earth System Theory" is a better name for communicating with non-scientific members of the public? Why? What are the advantages of each approach? Refer to the textbook on page 43.

Answer 1

I feel that the “Earth System Theory” is a better name compared with “Gaia” for communicating this idea to non-scientific individuals as it implies connectivity among the ecosystems on our planet. Those who aren’t familiar with the concept will likely begin the learning process from a perspective and understanding that everything which exists, belongs to an interconnected system that correlates either positively or negatively with others. If we were to use the name Gaia Theory, for example, it may misrepresent the concept by attaching a personal element, where control of the earth’s complex system of self-regulation for life, is balanced, not by our own initiatives, but rather a factor which finds it’s own equilibrium. This, as our textbook states, can allow individuals to become complacent, as they may have the impression that their own actions will have little effect on the sustainability of our planet. However, as we have learned, the human population causes massive amounts of damage to biodiversity and climate which cannot be repaired quickly, but rather only over millions of years. Our current practices with energy use and consumption have overtaken the planet’s own ability to repair itself, causing an imbalance of equilibrium and negative effects on the environment.