British environmental scientist and creator of the Gaia theory James Lovelock dies at 103

James Lovelock, the British environmental scientist and creator of the Gaia theory, which hypothesizes Earth acts as a single living organism, has died at the age of 103.

Lovelock died on Tuesday "surrounded by his family on his 103rd birthday," a statement from his family released to the Guardian and shared on social media said.

"To the world, he was best known as a scientific pioneer, climate prophet and conceiver of the Gaia Theory," the statement said. "To us, he was a loving husband and wonderful father with a boundless sense of curiosity a mischievous sense of humor and a passion for nature."