The Revenge of Gaia is a scientific book by esteemed scientist James Lovelock which discusses the effect human activity is having on the planet and what (if anything) can be done to halt the damage we have already caused. Lovelock proposes radical theories that contrast markedly with ‘traditional green’ thinking as well as forecasting in stark detail what may occur if action is not taken promptly.
Positive reception
Whilst the potential effects of climate change have been spoken about in the media for many years now, The Revenge of Gaia expresses the sheer scale of the impeding disasters in vivid detail. Each consequence is backed up by Lovelock with sound scientific reasoning, and his theories are explained delicately enough for both scientists and casual readers to absorb.
These ideas are constructed around Lovelock’s most famous hypothesis: the Gaia Theory, whereby the Earth acts as one living system which reacts to changes in its environment, which helps to emphasise how seemingly minor changes in the climate can affect humanity in a catastrophic way.
Critical reception
Whilst the radical views proposed by Lovelock in The Revenge of Gaia are one of the books strengths, naturally they can also be its weakness due to the controversy they can muster. For instance many environmentalists would be aghast at his suggestion that nuclear power should be favoured over the use of wind turbines, however a contrast to this point would be that he states on several occasions that this recommendation is in the absence of a better solution, particularly when put in the context of the ‘hell’ that would occur if global warming continues unabated.
Conclusions
Whilst many may not agree with the solutions to the global warming crisis that are by Lovelock, The Revenge of Gaia is exceedingly well written and serves as a stark reminder as to what may happen if immediate action is not taken to remedy the damage humanity has caused to the Earth.
Buy this book
It is recommended that you purchase The Revenge of Gaia from a reputable bookseller such as Amazon. As well as providing shipping to both the UK and the US the online shopping giant also offers second-hand copies for those on a budget. Copies of The Revenge of Gaia are available from £10.99 (UK) and $9.54 (US).