The “Gaia” explanation is based on the hypothesis, originated by James Lovelock, that various feedback mechanisms allow life itself to create, maintain and develop the conditions needed for life to survive and thrive: Earth can be seen as a single, living, self-regulating organism. Life has undeniably had a significant impact on Earth—the atmosphere would look quite different if our planet were lifeless, for example—but the Gaia hypothesis is not without its critics. Although Lovelock’s idea has been the spur for a great deal of biological research, it still lacks clear observational support.
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