STORIES FROM ECOLOGICAL SCIENCES 83
understanding our planet. Like the Apollo photo of Earth from space,
this image of Earth as a whole living being has transformed the way
many now think of our planet. Earth takes on a presence in our
consciousness, not unlike the presence of gods and goddesses in the
lives of our early ancestors. The Gaia Theory supports the ancient
image of the anima mundi , James Hillman’s idea of the living Earth or
world soul (1992).
Many scientists criticize this theory; however, many of the
mechanisms of self-regulation of the Earth have been identified in
research inspired by this theory. Gaia Theory is now a part of studies
in biogeochemistry, geophysiology and systems ecology. Studies
inspired by the Gaia Theory include examination of the regulation
of oxygen in the atmosphere, the regulation of the salinity in the
oceans, regulation of global surface temperature, the participation of
living organisms in the carbon cycles and the role of biodiversity in
the stability of ecosystems. The theory is increasingly used in studies
of climate change.
As temperatures are warming, sea levels rise and storm surge
becomes a huge danger in places like Florida and along many of
the coasts of North America and elsewhere. Now an amazing thing
is happening. The mangroves are spreading along many coasts,
including Florida. These mangroves are trapping sediment and
building up soil, which is what they do. The amazing thing is that,
so far, they are keeping up with sea level rise.
Summary
We see in these examples from contemporary ecological sciences how
significant changes are occurring in our scientific understanding of
ourselves in the world. Seeing human life embedded in the systems
and cycles of the living Earth and viewing reality as process are
foundational ideas for nature-based expressive arts. Understanding
the world and ourselves in it as interacting complex processes,
shaping and shaped by the self-organizing forces of nature, can offer
us the possibility, not only in art making, but also in life, to “trust