ABSTRACT
Gaia means ‘living earth’ and, more technically, is the idea that the Earth’s surface is a living system that dynamically evolves and regulates itself. This chapter describes the scientific origins of Gaia theory, which is a precursor to Earth System Science. The theory, now almost 50 years old, is holistic and focusses on dynamic interactions between the major elements of the planet’s surface, such as the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
