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Martin
Ogle
Chief Naturalist
Northern Virginia Regional Park
Authority
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 Marcey Road
Arlington, Virginia 22207
703.528.5406
martinogle@hotmail.com
potomac@nvrpa.org
American
Solar Energy Society
Arlington County Department of
Environmental Services
Arlington County Dept. of
Parks,
Recreation
& Cultural Resources
Arlington County Public Schools
Arlingtonians for a Clean
Environment
Audubon Naturalist Society
Biomimicry Guild
Central Library, Arlington County
Public Libraries
Earth Force
ESRI (Environmental Systems
Research Institute)
Gaia International
George Mason University
GreenMan Communications
Marymount University
Department
of
Biology and Physical Sciences
The Millennium Institute
My Organic Market (MOM) Grocers
National Association of Biology
Teachers
National
Council for Science and the
Environment
Nuclear
Energy Institute
Prince William Wildflower Society
Sierra Club - Virginia Chapter
Skybuilt Power, Inc.
Northern Virginia Conservation Trust
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Native Plant Society
Virginia Sustainable Building Network
Virginia Tech Dept. of Science
and
Technology in Society
Washington Academy of Sciences |
What is Gaia
Theory?
 Pick
up a newspaper or listen to the news and you'll quickly see that our
understanding of the Earth and our relationship to it has never mattered
more. The Gaia Theory offers insights into climate change, energy, health,
agriculture, and other issues of great, if not urgent, importance.
Overall, the
Gaia Theory is a compelling new way of understanding life on our planet. It
argues that we are far more than just the "Third Rock from the Sun,"
situated precariously between freezing and burning up. The theory asserts
that living organisms and their inorganic surroundings have evolved together
as a single living system that greatly affects the chemistry and conditions
of Earth’s surface. Some scientists believe that this “Gaian system”
self-regulates global temperature, atmospheric content, ocean salinity, and
other factors in an “automatic” manner. Earth's living system appears to
keep conditions on our planet just right for life to persist! The Gaia
Theory has already inspired ideas and practical applications for economic
systems, policy, scientific inquiry, and other valuable work. The future
holds more of the same. See
Understanding Gaia Theory for more
information.
What Was the Gaia Conference?
Nothing less than a public conference about
Earth science and our relationship to our planet. The following
summarizes the conference goals and
What kind of science and perspectives do we need to most effectively address
global issues such as climate change, energy and other matters? The
conference features internationally known speakers on Earth science, energy
and related topics and will be held on October 14-15, 2006 at the George
Mason University Law School in Arlington, VA. The Gaia Theory is a
compelling way of understanding life on our planet; an interdisciplinary
context that is enriching science at every level. The theory has already
inspired ideas and practical applications for climate research, energy and
economic systems, and new scientific inquiry.
Lynn Margulis, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of
Geosciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and long-time advocate of
the Gaia Theory, is a keynote speaker. Among many other speakers: Tyler
Volk, Co-director of the Program in Earth and Environmental Science at New
York University; Dr. Donald Aitken, Principal of Donald Aitken Associates;
Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, President of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and
the Environment; Robert Correll, Senior Fellow, Atmospheric Policy Program,
American Meteorological Society and noted environmental ethicist, J. Baird
Callicott. James Lovelock, the theory’s progenitor, has prepared a video
specifically for the event.
Click on the following links for more information regarding:
Conference
Speakers
Reading List for Gaia Theory
Click Here
to download as a MS Word document
Conference Summary and
Follow-up Points
The
Conference
þ
By all accounts, the conference was a resounding success! Thank you
speakers, exhibitors, steering committee, volunteers, attendees and all
others! We knew the event would at least be great on account of the
wonderful speakers and the mix of topics they covered. However, there was a
level of energy, enthusiasm and interest that went even beyond what we were
expecting! There were great conversations and connections made during the
breaks and lunches. The audience came from a wide variety of “walks of life”
and was very complimentary of the synergy between the dual emphasis on
science and metaphor.
þ
Most of our speakers stayed for much more than just their presentation –
many attended both days. Many speakers reflected that in addition to sharing
their own areas of expertise that they had learned a great deal as well.
þ
The Paul Winter concert, the sculpture unveiling and some of the sessions
highlighted the tremendous power of the metaphor of Gaia to engage people
with different interests and to work synergistically with the science to
promote the best possible understanding of our planet.
Follow-up
þ
A large number of conversations between conference attendees have already
occurred which help advance the understanding of the Gaia Theory.
þ
There will be a meeting to plan future endeavors to further promote the Gaia
Theory. Please see this website for reading lists, other pertinent websites,
news, etc. There will be instructions on how to access various written and
video materials that came out of the conference.
þ
Many speakers and co-sponsors have signed on to a letter promoting general
inquiry into the Gaia Theory. This letter will be sent to various media,
educational organizations, etc. If you have organizations to which you would
like this letter sent, please call Martin Ogle at 703/528-5406.
Please check back periodically for information on
upcoming Gaia Theory programs and events!
“Meet Me on a Sunday
. . . at Potomac Overlook!”
Hang
out in the great outdoors
“Meet Me on a Sunday . . . at Potomac
Overlook!” Almost everyone needs more time in the great outdoors –
time to take a walk, enjoy each others’ company, or to just sit and
do nothing! So, come make a “natural connection” at Potomac
Overlook Regional Park. Every Sunday afternoon, between
1:30 and 3:30 p.m., the park provides refreshments, games and
hands-on nature exhibits, and a fun place to meet and hang out.
You take it from there: come alone or with family or friends; go on
a walk; visit the nature center; or, just enjoy the day!
People of all ages are welcome. There’s always
something for families, groups, scouts, friends, couples, seniors .
. . anyone! Grab a drink before a hike, pause for a rest or to
enjoy an activity, or bring a book and a blanket and spend the
entire afternoon. Whatever works for you!
This weekly offering is free; some items and
refreshments may be on a donation or cost basis.
Potomac Overlook Regional Park is located at the end of
Marcey Road, off of Military Road, in north Arlington, Virginia.
Call 703-528-5406 for directions and other information.
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