On October 14 and 15, 2006, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority presents a conference about the Gaia Theory at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus in Arlington, Virginia. Lynn Margulis, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and long-time advocate of the Gaia Theory, is confirmed as a keynote speaker. Other speakers include Dr. Tyler Volk, Co-director of the Program in Earth and Environmental Science at New York University, Lee Kump, Professor of Geosciences at Penn State University, Eileen Crist, Associate professor, Virginia Tech Department of Science and Technology in Society, and Dr. Donald Aitken, Principal of Donald Aitken Associates. James Lovelock, the theory’s progenitor, will participate via a video prepared for the event. Other speakers (see Speakers Page) and activities are also confirmed. Thomas Lovejoy, President of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment is an invited speaker.

Charter co-sponsors include: George Mason University, ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute), Arlington Public Schools, Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, The Virginia Tech Department of Science and Technology in Society, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, Earth Force, My Organic Market Grocers, Gaia International, the Audubon Naturalist Society and the Washington Area Academy of Sciences.

The Gaia Theory posits that organic and inorganic components of Earth operate together as a single living system that is self-generating and self-regulating. It describes a living system that automatically controls global temperature, atmospheric content, ocean salinity, and other factors in a manner that enables life to persist. In this respect, the Earth is like an individual organism that regulates body temperature, blood salinity, etc. 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, policy, new scientific inquiry, and other valuable work. The future holds more of the same.

• To promote awareness and understanding of the Gaia Theory among a diverse audience including scientists, educators, policy makers and the general public.
• To explore the broad implications of the Gaia Theory and the connections it reveals between science, culture, economics, politics, education and other aspects of human life.
• To explore & celebrate artistic and literary significance of the metaphor, Gaia.
• To inspire the implementation of ongoing interdisciplinary thinking and actions.

Contact: Martin Ogle, Chief Naturalist
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 Marcey Road, Arlington, VA 22207
703.528.5406; potomac@nvrpa.org.

Send us your name and e-mail address if you would like to receive additional conference information and registration materials.

> Conference Homepage

Last updated: 11/25/2006