Home Science and Technology A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth

A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth
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Learn the key ideas of the book by Henry Gee

A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth

A Billion-Year Story of Earth and Humankind

A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth is a brief journey through time. Telling the entire history of life on Earth in a nutshell is a rather daunting task, requiring a keen talent for analysing, summarising and reassembling huge amounts of information and data. From the birth of the universe, to the first forms of life on Earth, from the evolution of humans to the present day, this book guides the reader through time and space. Life on Earth tells the story of an ever changing and constantly growing evolutionary process, which has allowed life forms to adapt to changes in their habitat, and the various species to evolve. Despite inevitable further mass extinctions in the future, life on Earth will continue to prevail. This eternal capacity for renewal demonstrates one of the fascinating aspects of life on Earth, which humans, now that we are aware of our impact, must protect, at all costs.

A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth
Read in 10 min.
Listen in 12 min.
IDEA CHIAVE 1/8

The origin of the universe, which dates back 14 billion years, triggered a volatile and unstoppable process

In order to trace the origins of the universe, and understand when and how the Sun, Moon and Earth were formed, we have to go back billions of years.

The most widely accepted theory on the origin of the universe is the Big Bang, which occurred around 14 billion years ago: a violent explosion released a large amount of dust and gas that spread throughout space. Much later, about 4.6 billion years ago, those very hot gases began to stir, giving rise first to the Sun, and then to other planets, including the Earth.

Billions of years after the Big Bang, the Earth came into existence. Despite the events that followed, this process of continuous transformation has never stopped, and continues to change to this day.

  

The key ideas of "A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth"

01.
The origin of the universe, which dates back 14 billion years, triggered a volatile and unstoppable process
02.
Life on Earth first emerged some 4 billion years ago
03.
The evolution of life on Earth is an inevitable and unstoppable process, which even prevails over destruction
04.
The journey of life on Earth teaches us about the inevitable passage of time, and that humans occupy a miniscule part of it
05.
Humans have a great responsibility to protect the planet
06.
Even though it is uncertain, the future is full of hope
07.
Quotes
08.
Take-home message
 
 
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