The Vanishing Face of Gaia: A Final Warning

Written by James Lovelock

Narrated by Simon Vance

In The Vanishing Face of Gaia, British scientist James Lovelock predicts global warming will lead to a Hot Epoch. Lovelock is best known for formulating the controversial Gaia theory in the 1970s, with Ruth Margulis of the University of Massachusetts, which states that organisms interact with and regulate Earth's surface and atmosphere. We ignore this interaction at our peril.

An "unwilling Cassandra," he is nevertheless an "an optimistic pessimist" and thinks we will survive the coming Hot Epoch, but predicts climate change will reduce our population from 9 billion to around one billion or less.

"I don't think nine billion is better than one billion," Lovelock writes. He compares humans to the "first photosynthesisers, which, when they first appeared on the planet, caused enormous damage by releasing oxygen -- a nasty, poisonous gas." Oxygen turned out to be beneficial to the life forms that evolved to utilize it, including us, but a global anaerobic ecosystem gave way in the face of this atmospheric change.

If simple microbial life forms could effect such a change, why is it hard to believe that humans could do so, too? And we are, unwittingly at first, but many have recognized the danger for some time now, and time is running out.

There are factions at work today trying to convince the public that global warming is a leftwing conspiracy, a liberal hoax. They claim that scientists perpetuate this "myth" to obtain government grants, and point to "independent" scientists (usually funded by the oil industry) who refute climate change science. Dr. Lovelock may be the antidote to these claims, as he is a truly independent scientist. Lovelock, a chemist and inventor by profession and a climate activist, is not beholden to any government, university, or granting agency.

Let those determined to bury their heads in the sands of right wing silliness do so. the rest of us, young and old, have work to do. Lovelock's book sets out an important agenda to follow.

Published by Post Hypnotic Press Inc. Distrubited by Big Happy Family LLC.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press
• Release date: Aug 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781926910543

James Lovelock

James Lovelock, who was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974, is the author of more than 200 scientific papers and the originator of the Gaia Hypothesis (now Gaia Theory). His many books on the subject include Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth (1979), The Revenge of Gaia (2006), The Vanishing Face of Gaia (2009) and A Rough Ride to the Future (2014). In 2003 he was made a Companion of Honour by Her Majesty the Queen, in 2005 Prospect magazine named him one of the world's top 100 public intellectuals, and in 2006 he received the Wollaston Medal, the highest Award of the UK Geological Society. He died on the day of his 103rd birthday in July 2022.

Reviews for The Vanishing Face of Gaia

[rajivc_18 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book by James Lovelock is a classic. Other reviewers have said that he takes you on a roller-coaster ride and they are correct.

The book is a timely warning of what we must do, to save the earth. We are losing time. Nay, we are out of time. Some who have read "The Revenge of Gaia" may find some parts repetitive, but this is good.

James Lovelock urges us to look at 'the earth' as an 'integrated system' - the earth Goddess, Gaia. This is the only way we can approach the world we live in.

It is impossible to address one part and not the rest. In the last few chapters, he takes us on a personal story, and this ties everything together neatly.

He addressed the topic of life on Venus and Mars and exploded the myths some billionaires are building. His critique of "Silent Spring" is balanced, and I like the chapter on energy and food.

There is one point he made, and I jumped with joy when he did: we have too many people.

The writing style is clear, simple and engaging. There is enough food for thought. I hope we act.

[Monika · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A bit heavy for what it ultimately is. I expected more action, more mystery, but it didn't arrive. (Translated from Spanish)

[yaizayaiyaiza · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it.
It is an entertaining and easy-to-read book. The book is quite good overall. But the ending... It seems like it was written quickly.
I was expecting more intrigue or more explanation for the ending, it seemed bland to me. What a shame.

? Still, I would recommend it. (Translated from Spanish)

[clueless_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Bits of brilliant science interspersed with random tidbits of complete conjecture. I agree that the green movement is doing more harm than good. I would love to hear a debate between him and Ray Kurzweil. Some of this was so incredibly refreshing (his opinion of nuclear power) and other bits just made me go 'hum'. I will never look at a wind turbine the same way again. He seems to have lost touch with political reality. Even though he stated that we are tribal carnivores - I don't see the world taking down all national borders any time soon so that the 'moist cool' areas could be made to support what humanity there is. We can't even agree there is a problem...and the ones who have don't agree on what that problem is. I think his perspective on the human race in relation to earth is spot on - we are mere fairly powerless symbiotic parasites, nothing special really.