Jagged Environment
Gaia
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Jagged EnvironmentGaia |
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Mass extinctions |
The concept of Gaia - The Earth Mother - reassures many people; it is seen in an almost cuddly light, since it unites life (the biosphere) with the Planet Earth, with its atmosphere and its surface, in a symbiotic and mutually dependent coexistence, through feedback mechanisms; ultimately with life taking the upper hand, and determining the composition and processes of these other Earthly spheres, which are kept at an optimum for it. But Gaia is Mother Nature, and Nature is starkly lacking in compassion; not cuddly at all, but is survival of the fittest, and death of the uncompetitive. This is the only way Evolution can happen; if all were in a condition of plenty, there would be no need for change, in the absence of stress, and no development of more advanced versions of life. But life (the biosphere) is the child of the Earth; she is its mother. The origination, development and further selections of life are indeed, and inextricably placed within the interacting boundaries of her different spheres: solid minerals (carbides, clays), water and gases (O2, CO2); i.e. in environmental language, the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Extinctions of species, on steady or massive scales, are implicit in her scheme and describe the code of Evolution. Nature is a very strong mother, but she has her favourites: spare the rod and spoil the child. While expressing grave doubts about the creation of the Universe purely in the intention of creating human life and feeling that we are ephemeral, as a human, I feel the instinctive focus we all do toward other humans, other animals: all clinging to the planet which bore and supports all life. The majesty and consumate power of the Earth seems almost perfect. We all resonate with the rhythm of the breaking tide, with the return and fall of the sunset; moments when we know we are part of Nature. These moments are truly spiritual. Equally, we find awe in the power of storms; blue light splitting the darkness, and the destructive imperative of tornadoes and volcanoes, because they are immense in their force and beyond our control. The mother opens a watchful eye, reminding the child that it is just a child, and she is in control. Copyright © 2001 Chris James Last updated 12 March, 2005 |
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