A Quote by J. E. Lovelock on living, matter, earth, whales, viruses, oaks, algae, atmosphere, single living entity, and gaia

The entire range of living matter on Earth from whales to viruses and from oaks to algae could be regarded as constituting a single living entity capable of maintaining the Earth's atmosphere to suit its overall needs and endowed with faculties and powers far beyond those of its constituent parts.