The Vanishing Face of Gaia: A Final Warning by James Lovelock

[Simon]

You can tell that the weather has taken a turn for the worse here in West Wales - yet another forum entry from me in the books section! Apart from putting hay down for the sheep, there is not too much I can do outside. Is there a "Gaia" I ask myself.

The book outlines the history of his Gaia theory covering his views on climate change and mankind's future on the planet. The sub-title "A Final Warning" says it all.

Lovelock's technical arguments against Wind Turbines don't convince me. See MacKay "Sustainable ......." for useful technical data. He is also a a self-confessed Nimby where wind turbines are concerned stating that he doesn't want his home county of Dorset covered in turbines (it almost certainly wouldn't be) saying that it would be "Philistine". As he is predicting the end of the world and/or life as we know it, it does seem a bit strong to dismiss wind turbines this way. One could cruelly think that at 90+, the future is pretty short for him but I don't honestly think this is his motivation. He is just incorrect in my opinion.

Perhaps one of Lovelock's most controversial contentions is that nuclear power stations are the immediate way forward. I won't go into his technical arguments here but they do generally accord with MacKay's technical analysis. I also believe that it is an energy form that we will have to adopt in the very near future if we are to minimise our impact on the climate. Perhaps to avoid too many vitriolic responses to this review, may I make a plea that substantiated arguments are used rather than just making generalised statements about how awful nuclear power is.

Overall this book is well work reading and at 178 pages including index and references it won't keep you up all night apart from its conclusions.



The following review is lifted from Amazon (copyright acknowledged).


Quote ...

By    J. M. Lilley (Kings Langley, Hertfordshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)  
James delivers one final warning before he blasts into space. He pulls no punches as he lays into politicians, environmentalists, scientists, the EU, wind-turbines and Tony Blair, to name but a few. Gaia is moving to a new hotter state and she has no intention of taking us with her. In the UK our small and overpopulated island will struggle, as it becomes one of the last lifeboats of civilisation. It's James' hope that a new Churchill will arise and take the tiller. Democracy will take a backseat as our military prepare to repel boarders while our engineers build nuclear power stations and compact cities. Life as we have know it for the past 50 years will change forever as we move towards a better and self-sufficient future. A truly inspirational read.

End of quote ...

[renewablejohn]

Simon

I wish I had the time to read but the planet will not be saved by reviewing books.   

Hence I will carry on designing this woodchip torrification plant whilst waiting for this snow to melt. 

[Simon]

Simon

I wish I had the time to read but the planet will not be saved by reviewing books.   

Hence I will carry on designing this woodchip torrification plant whilst waiting for this snow to melt. 

I noted your ironic stirring "smiley". Basically, as a pensioner I find myself getting lazier and lazier hence my desire to get others to do the good work (as I see it). I have just finished reading (sorry!) an interview with Stewart Brand (he of the Whole Earth Catalogue) and he describes the worst kind of army officer as someone who is stupid and industrious. Stupidity makes them do ridiculous things and industry makes them do lots of ridiculous things. The very best officer is brilliant but lazy. I suspect I am a hybrid - stupid and lazy.

Perhaps if we can get enough people understanding the issues, one or two more might get out there are do some non-stupid things. Meanwhile, I must get out and feed the sheep as the snow is coming down quite heavily now.

Good luck with your torrification plant. Wood is a difficult substance to burn cleanly and needs something like this to make it truly environmentally friendly.

Simon