The Future of Life

There weren't very many surprises in this book for someone who considers themselves an environmentalist and follows environmental news. But the surprises that were there were whoppers. For instance, did you know that within a matter of decades, if current trends hold true, China will need to import more grain than is currently exported worldwide on an annual basis? Scary stuff. But there were some major disappointments in this book as well, particularly some perceived inconsistencies in his "hopes for the future."

More than an expert entomologist and socio-biologist, Edward Osborne Wilson is also a passionate environmentalist expert of everything about conservation biology. Displaying an incredible erudition, he delivers here a remarkable little book which is a must read for anyone interested in ecology.

In 'The Future of Life', he does more than showing us the wonders of our fragile planet, or, enthuse the reader with examples of coevolution and interconnections between various species. He also defends the preservation of our environment by adopting an attitude far from the caricature such debates are often reduced to. Indeed, scientific and technological progress, economical interest, and safeguarding of our biodiversity are not antinomic, and, show more if he knows how to remain cautious in avoiding the traps of scientism, he doesn't condemn neither our biotechnological advances nor our capitalistic system.

Such an outlook, such a passion, such an engagement make this short little book a fascinating read. Too bad it's so short! show less

Quite a good presentation of ecological thinking and how human decisions and actions ripple through. The viewpoint is surprisingly balanced between a recognition of what human’s want and take from the planet and what the planet and its layer of fauna and flora need to carry on. Not surprisingly, these two sides are counterposed at some level, but the real harm to efforts at addressing the problem reside in thinking of these sides as incompatible. Wilson convincingly explains how those viewpoints share common interests that help to reframe the discussion.

A strange book. A kind of cry of anguish and plea for sanity.

In my humble unsolicited opinion the problem and major shortcoming of environmentalists is that instead of advocating reasonable self-preservation they go on an on about the wonders of nature. They must know, or at least the realistic among them, that only a tiny fraction of people care about losing species, destroying natural habitats and making their kids' heritage so much poorer. On the other hand everyone cares about their standard of living and there are plenty of good conservationist arguments that could take advantage of that self-interest.

Alas, this book like all others I've read too often strays from this route and goes down the "isn't nature beautiful" dead-end. It show more is beautiful but no one cares and sadly this is not helping. show less

The author is knowledgeable and the book is well written. The topic is one-dimensional in that the basic concept is that humans are causing extinction of many species. He covers the magnitude of the problem, the causes, and the potential solutions. I appreciate and concur with his concerns. I believe that ongoing and future efforts at conservation of biodiversity will have beneficial effects but am skeptical that economic and developmental forces will be held in check. I suspect that we are more similar to a bacteria that grows until it runs out of food.

For a book published in 2002, it is good to see how much that was written about has come to pass; improved understanding of the environment, a desire to think big in terms of conservation areas, and looking at the biodiversity of regions.

That said there are areas that have not progressed. Along with animal extinctions, loss of rainforest, and other environmental disasters that have happened around the world.

The solutions that he proposes in the final chapter are still valid, and any government should look at implementing these given how business and corporations have managed to bring the world the the edge of the abyss, and still want more concessions.

A great "state of the planet" survey circa 2002 covering species extinctions and the environment. In the end Wilson is optimistic with solutions. I came away with the desire to buy a microscope and start exploring the micro-world - and I also immediately donated money to the three top environmental organizations: World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International. Wilson clarified some questions I had about how these organizations operate and their histories and accomplishments. I was also amazed to learn how relatively cheap it is to buy and protect large areas of wilderness. Overall a book of unflinching dark reality and a hopeful future.