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+--- Thread: Extinction by too little carbon: Medea hypothesis versus Gaia hypothesis (/thread-13654.html)
Extinction by too little carbon: Medea hypothesis versus Gaia hypothesis - C C - Feb 13, 2023
Is life on Earth in harmony with the planet — or is it ultimately suicidal?
https://bigthink.com/life/medea-hypothesis-carbon-dioxide/
KEY POINTS: The Gaia hypothesis states that Earth and all life dwelling upon it form a synergistic system that maintains the optimal conditions for life. University of Washington professor Peter Ward thinks that's nonsense. According to his opposing Medea hypothesis, life is actually suicidal. In the past, photosynthesizing organisms drained the Earth of carbon dioxide, turning our planet into a near-sterile snowball. Due to human-caused climate change, we don't have to worry about this anytime soon, but in 500 million years or so, Earth could again be doomed to repeat it's frozen fate... (MORE - details)