The future of life : biodiversity in the new millennium

2014

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Summary

Edward O. Wilson The future of life: Biodiversity in the New Millennium excellent. A vivid and hopeful journey through the world of biodiversity. Wilson's ideas are seminal to any serious discussion of the relationship between science, nature, and humanity. Peter Raven, Chair, National Research Council, Division of Earth and Life Studies Bottlenecks: From the destruction of natural habitats to the accelerating loss of species, Wilson sets his stage by revealing how the bottlenecks of "overpopulation" and "overconsumption" threaten to undo the web of life that supports us. Biodiversity: magnifigance and peril: in turn, WIlson paints a paradoxical picture of our moment in history, at once illustrating how the natural world is far richer than previously conceived, while at the same time demonstrating how half of our species could be gone by mid-century. The economics of life: now, defying common wisdom, Wilson argues that conservation of our natural world is imperative for economic well-being and growth--rather than standing in opposition to it. Here, he reveals how the loss of biodiversity translates into economic losses for agriculture, medicine, and industry. A moral compass points to tomorrow: drawing upon the economic, ethical, and even religious bases of conservation, Wilson next offers highly practical solutions for saving the remainder of our natural world. Wilson wraps this extraordinary presentation with an impassioned call for cooperation between government, science, and the private sector--within the inextricable interplay of biology, economics, and public policy.