My Decrepit Planet

The Revenge of Gaia

Author: James Lovelock

Genre: Research/Planet Earth

Publisher: Basic Books

In The Revenge of Gaia, a book by James Lovelock, the author emphasizes on the weakening of our planet Earth due to pollution that has caused the global warming and the constant increase of population. The increases of population and green house gases are deteriorating to Earth’s atmosphere, and it is also the cause of climate change. The population also affects the demand of more resources for example oil. Lovelock said “When the earth was young and strong, it resisted adverse change and the failure of its own temperature regulation; now it may be elderly and less resilient” (Lovelock 2006: 3). Meaning, when Earth became part of the living bio and ecosystems, it was able to maintain not only life, but the temperatures and chemicals in the atmosphere; however, when human population began to industrialize the planet also adding to natural pollution, the earth began its journey to becoming a decrepit planet. The weakening of planet earth deals with the term “sustainable development”. Sustainable development represents the continuous effort to balance and integrate the three pillars which are: social well being, economic prosperity, and environmental protection for the benefit of present and future generations (Lovelock 2006: 3). Earth’s economy was a sustainable development until the 1970s, and due to the theories it took much more research in order to support the argument of our failing planet.

For my response, this text was accurate. Due to the overindulgences on our planets resources and pollution we cause our planet has went from a large sustainable basis of life to a exhausted and wearied globe of industrial life. There is not much we can now do considering the fact carbon dioxide levels are now extremely high and Earth’s temperature is at a constant increase. The most we can do is attempt to do is take better care for our planet (because it’s impossible to restore health) and find new ways to control our planets population and pollution rates.

Lovelock , James. The Revenge of Gaia. 1st. Basic Books, 2006. 1-18. Print