Life as an Engine of Planetary Evolution

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Life is not only an extension of the planet and an anatomy of the planet but also serves as an engine of planetary evolution, where the planet evolves dramatically over time. This evolution differs from standard Darwinian evolution through natural selection but still represents a form of evolution.

A cell is alive. So is a leaf and so is a tree. But what about the forest they’re a part of? Is that forest alive? And what about the planet that forest grows on? Is Earth alive? Science writer Ferris Jabr says: Yes.

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