Is it possible for Earth to evolve? No, not the life residing in it, but the planet itself. Intelligence may seem like something only we measure in a person, but it can also be found in groups. Humans, sea anemones, bacterial fungi–all have it. Now, astrophysicists are proposing that entire planets have so-called “planetary intelligence” as well.
But what does that even mean? They say that this can help us control the consequences of our actions on the planet in the long run. In fact, a newly-published paper by astrophysicists from Cambridge dives deep into the topic.
Here, they propose that planetary intelligence can be a path to understanding the evolution of planets and life on and outside Earth. But before we can form our thoughts about the issue, first, we need to know how planets can be “intelligent.”
A planetary what?
Many theories surround the origin of life. In the case of the Cambridge team, they believe that the origin of Earth’s life forces is based on planetary factors. If we came to be because of the planet, then is it possible that we can also change and affect its actions, movements, and the life inside.
The team defines planetary intelligence as applying knowledge at a planetary scale. The words may seem overwhelming, but here’s the gist: to truly have intelligence, the planet must obtain enough knowledge so that the complex system of species that reside in it can live harmoniously, sustaining the whole biosphere.
Currently, human development drives the destruction of the environment. To have planetary intelligence, we have to reach a point where the actions of humans cannot harm other life forms and co-exist peacefully.
So, is Earth intelligent?
The study says the Earth is far from being intelligent. But it doesn’t mean that would be a constant state.
The paper theorized a timeline on how this could develop in planets. Right now, we are far from having full-fledged intelligence, and the thing is, we don’t know how to get there.
In the first stage, a planet develops life. The “immature biosphere” has created life, but feedback loops are not enough to usher in the creation of different kinds of life.
The second stage is where the biosphere becomes matured. This can pertain to Earth facilitating the evolution of flora and fauna, as well as human beings.
After that comes the third stage. Here, the idea of an “immature technosphere” is introduced. While our technological systems have pushed us to advance, it is still at odds with the physical world. These things include pollution, destruction, and all of that.
But if these two factors can somehow be reconciled, then the final and idealized stage of a mature technosphere can be realized. Here, maximum stability and productivity of the system are seen as the end goal. That would mean abundant resources for everyone, the lack of depleting natural sources, and an unlimited resource for power and energy.
What does this mean for all of us?
The paper sounds something straight out of a sci-fi book. But the implications can be life-changing. If we figure out a way to jump from one stage to another, then it might be possible to steer the evolution of uninhabited planets, as well as our own.
Is it truly possible to create a world where using Earth’s resources will not deplete its life source? Even if it would be nice to control the consequences of our actions, would it be wise to do so?
No matter the case, the idea of planetary initiation of life seems like a good one to think about before sleeping at night.
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