John James Lovelock - A Very Charming Contrarian

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John james lovelock's work has had an incredible influence on green movements, but he wasn't a clear cut environmentalist. He expressed support for fracking and against onshore wind farms. Also worked in and with industry, including for the fossil fuel company shell. And he also was very conservative in later life. So he would gently mock the guardian from time to time, guardian values, and other times praise the guardian.

James Lovelock, the creator of the Gaia hypothesis, died last Tuesday on his 103rd birthday. Known as something of a maverick, the scientist and inventor was one of the most influential thinkers of the past century. Our global environment editor, Jonathan Watts, tells Madeleine Finlay about spending time with Lovelock for his forthcoming biography, the impact of the scientist’s ideas and inventions on the modern world, and how his immense influence will continue to be felt in the critical decades ahead. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod