A temperature rise of more than two degrees C risks altering the Earth system irreversibly.
“A temperature rise of more than two degrees C risks altering the Earth system irreversibly.” — James Lovelock Source: The Vanishing Face of Gaia (2009)
Environmental-Philosophy
Climate change is real, and it is here, and we either change or we suffer.
“Climate change is real, and it is here, and we either change or we suffer.” — James Lovelock Source: Interviews / Essays
Earth does not need people. People need Earth.
“Earth does not need people. People need Earth.” — James Lovelock Source: Interviews / Talks
Gaia is a very simple idea: that the Earth works as a single, complex, self-regulating system.
“Gaia is a very simple idea: that the Earth works as a single, complex, self-regulating system.” — James Lovelock Source: The Ages of Gaia (1988)
Humanity is not separate from Gaia; we are a part of her body. To harm her is to harm ourselves.
“Humanity is not separate from Gaia; we are a part of her body. To harm her is to harm ourselves.” — James Lovelock Source: Gaia: The Practical Science of Planetary Medicine (1991)
If we go on wrecking the biosphere, our technical and moral loftiness will count for nothing.
“If we go on wrecking the biosphere, our technical and moral loftiness will count for nothing.” — James Lovelock Source: The Vanishing Face of Gaia (2009)
Let us hope that humanity will see through science that it must live in harmony with all life, not just exploit it.
“Let us hope that humanity will see through science that it must live in harmony with all life, not just exploit it.” — James Lovelock Source: The Vanishing Face of Gaia (2009)
Our task is not to save the Earth. She will endure. It is our civilization, our children, who are at risk.
“Our task is not to save the Earth. She will endure. It is our civilization, our children, who are at risk.” — James Lovelock Source: The Vanishing Face of Gaia (2009)
Science taught us that change is inevitable; wisdom teaches us to change with it.
“Science taught us that change is inevitable; wisdom teaches us to change with it.” — James Lovelock Source: Late Interviews
The future depends on whether we can act on respect for Gaia rather than on fear.
“The future depends on whether we can act on respect for Gaia rather than on fear.” — James Lovelock Source: Interviews
The Gaia hypothesis tells us that life and the Earth are inseparable, two sides of one great process.
“The Gaia hypothesis tells us that life and the Earth are inseparable, two sides of one great process.” — James Lovelock Source: Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth (1979)
The planet we abuse will find ways to restore balance, but not necessarily in ways that are kind to us.
“The planet we abuse will find ways to restore balance, but not necessarily in ways that are kind to us.” — James Lovelock Source: The Revenge of Gaia (2006)
We are part of Gaia’s experiment. Whether we remain part of her future depends on how we live now.
“We are part of Gaia’s experiment. Whether we remain part of her future depends on how we live now.” — James Lovelock Source: The Ages of Gaia (1988)
We have to accept that we are modest parts of the functioning of Earth, not its masters.
“We have to accept that we are modest parts of the functioning of Earth, not its masters.” — James Lovelock Source: Healing Gaia (1991)
We need to recognise the fragility of our existence and the need to conserve the balance.
“We need to recognise the fragility of our existence and the need to conserve the balance.” — James Lovelock Source: Lectures
We need to see ourselves not as stewards of nature, but as participants in a vast, living system.
“We need to see ourselves not as stewards of nature, but as participants in a vast, living system.” — James Lovelock Source: The Ages of Gaia (1988)