The Gaia Hypothesis was first articulated by Dr. James
Lovelock in 1979 and basically states that living systems on Planet Earth
regulate the climate system in such a way as to provide a favorable
condition for its (life's) continued existence.
The Gaia Hypothesis is often described by "Daisy-World", a planet with
vegetation consisting of black daisies and white daisies. When the global
mean temperature of the planet falls, white daisies die off more than
black daisies, which slows the cooling and eventually reverses the global
cooling trend. When the temperature of the planet rises, black daisies die
off more than white daisies, which slows the warming and reverses the
global warming trend. This is a simple explanation of how the biological
systems presumably regulate their own environment.
1a. Daisy World uses the color and number of daisies to regulate the
environment. Discuss actual physical processes that perform this function
on Planet Earth.
1b. Consider the self-regulating nature of Planet Earth (not Daisy World)
with and without the existence of humans with their current level of
technology. Discuss how humans with current technology might be able (or
not able) to keep the equilibrium (homeostasis) for longer periods than a
biological world without humans.
1c. Suppose humanoids living in Daisy World find that white daisies can be
processed to produce an aphrodisiac, which results in an explosion of
humanoid population and a distorted balance of daisies. Give the
Brundland Commission definition of sustainability and give two actions
humanoids could take to comply with the mandate of the Commission and
preserve Daisy World.
Comment on the validity of each of the following
statements and provide some discussion in support of your
position:
2a. Global climate change likely will cause food shortages and
freshwater shortages in the next 50 years.
2b. Limiting population growth in developing countries is the only way to
avoid exceeding the carrying capacity of the planet in the next 50
years.