Gaia: The Living Planet--A Portrait Of James Lovelock

"You wouldn't mine your liver for short-term gain," says James Lovelock, the 68-year-old British biologist, doctor, chemist, and science-fiction writer who's best known for the Gaia Hypothesis. He's referring to humankind's indifference to the planet in its relentless overuse of natural resources which are limited. For Lovelock, however, the environmental concerns go beyond simple human greed and folly; he sees the earth as a living organism--which regulates temperature, humidity, and atmospheric content in order to maintain the survival of life. Although the Gaia Hypothesis has been taken over by any number of spiritual seekers who see it as a kind of Mother Earth metaphor made flesh, this program sticks to the underlying science which informs Lovelock's theory. Visiting with Lovelock in his home/laboratory in the hills of Devon in southwest England, we see a wonderland of gadgets, and listen to Lovelock describe his experiments on the atmosphere, the results of which gave rise to the Gaia Hypothesis. Although the price puts this fine program out of range for most public libraries, high school and university libraries will want to consider this for courses in general science and environment studies. Highly recommended. (Available from: Bullfrog Films, Oley, PA 19547.)