GAIA HYPOTHES

is :is the idea, developed by James Lovelock, that Earth's systems behave as a single living entity striving to maintain health and stability conducive to the ex:istence of life. General Circulation Models (GCMs) are computer models of Earth's climate that are used to improve our understanding of factors that influence climate and enhance our ability to forecast future climate patterns. One reason GCMs are so useful :is that they allow researchers to turn individual variables on and off and observe the results, :isolating factors in a way that :is not possible in the physical world. Geoengineering refers to artificial modification of Earth systems to counteract anthropogenic effects such as global warming or stratospheric ozone depletion. An example of geoengineering aimed at reducing global warming :is the "iron hypothes:is," which suggests that adding iron to the oceans could stimulate the growth of algae which would photosynthesize, thus taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In general, geoengineering proposals would be costly and log:istically difficult, and before they were undertaken, it would be prudent to be certain that unanticipated adverse consequences would not occur.