Dead at 103, scientist who said Earth was ‘living being’
JAMES Lovelock, the scientist who characterised Earth as a giant living being, died yesterday on his 103rd birthday.
His 1972 Gaia hypothesis that the planet is a ‘superorganism’ became influential amid fears of ecosystem destruction.
Lovelock’s family said he died at home on Tuesday surrounded by relatives, from complications related to a fall.
Dame Mary Archer, who chairs the Science Museum Group’s board of trustees, said: ‘Arguably the most important independent scientist of the last century, Jim Lovelock was decades ahead of his time in thinking about the Earth and climate and his unique approach was an inspiration for many.
‘Originality of thought, scepticism of the status quo and above all a focus on invention lie at the heart of his remarkable contribution to science.’
Lovelock developed instruments to search for life on Mars and a means of detecting CFCs damaging the ozone layer.
He warned last year that Earth would fight back against humans if greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed.
Lovelock said: ‘The virus, Covid-19, may well have been one negative feedback. Gaia will try harder next time with something even nastier.’
In 2020, he said that both he and the biosphere were in ‘the last 1 per cent of or our lives’.
He also predicted the next stage of evolution would be hyper-intelligent cyborgs who would co-exist with humans. Unlike most scientists, Lovelock worked independently of large institutions and universities.
Describing his Gaia theory in 1979, he wrote: ‘The entire range of living matter on Earth from whales to viruses and from oaks to algae could be regarded as constituting a single living entity capable of maintaining the Earth’s atmosphere to suit its overall needs.’
Lovelock is survived by his wife Sandy and children Christine, Jane, Andrew and John.
His family said: ‘To the world, he was best known as a scientific pioneer, climate prophet and conceiver of the Gaia theory. To us, he was a loving husband and wonderful father.’