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On October 14 and 15,
2006, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority presented 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, was
confirmed as a keynote speaker. Other speakers included 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, participated via a
video prepared for the event. Other speakers (see
Speakers Page) and activities
were also confirmed. Thomas Lovejoy, President of the Heinz Center for
Science, Economics and the Environment was a highlighted speaker.
Charter co-sponsors included: 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.
DVD's of conference plenary
sessions are now available! To receive a set, please
send $6 to Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington,
VA 22207. Make checks payable to "NVRPA".
Conference Highlights
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.
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