Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life is a 2016 book by the biologist E. O. Wilson, in which the author proposes that half of the Earth's surface should be designated a human-free natural reserve to preserve biodiversity. Wilson noted that the term "Half-Earth" was coined for this concept by Tony Hiss in his Smithsonian article "Can the World Really Set Aside Half the Planet for Wildlife?"
Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life is a 2016 book by the biologist E. O. Wilson, in which the author proposes that half of the Earth's surface should be designated a human-free natural reserve to preserve biodiversity. Wilson noted that the term "Half-Earth" was coined for this concept by Tony Hiss in his Smithsonian article "Can the World Really Set Aside Half the Planet for Wildlife?"
This book contains an important idea, and so should have been a good book. Unfortunately it doesn't really say anything other than "this is an important idea".
Oh and "nature is beautiful and important", which it is. Then what?
This book contains an important idea, and so should have been a good book. Unfortunately it doesn't really say anything other than "this is an important idea".
Oh and "nature is beautiful and important", which it is. Then what?
How do we stop the wreck that humans are doing to the environment? Are the conservation efforts enough? Or are we really headed to the sixth extinction? Can we halt this process?
Edward O. Wilson believes we can change our ecological future before it is too late. For that we need more than just to preserve this or that species, or this or that environment, but to set a very specific goal: half-earth — that is to say, that we must reserve half of our planet for wild nature. Less than that and we are taking a very risky gamble with the future of our own species.
Throughout the book, in an easy to read and well argued fashion (as is his style), Wilson tries to make the case for the necessity of the preservation of wild nature, in all its complexities, and tries to demolish the vacuous reasoning behind …
How do we stop the wreck that humans are doing to the environment? Are the conservation efforts enough? Or are we really headed to the sixth extinction? Can we halt this process?
Edward O. Wilson believes we can change our ecological future before it is too late. For that we need more than just to preserve this or that species, or this or that environment, but to set a very specific goal: half-earth — that is to say, that we must reserve half of our planet for wild nature. Less than that and we are taking a very risky gamble with the future of our own species.
Throughout the book, in an easy to read and well argued fashion (as is his style), Wilson tries to make the case for the necessity of the preservation of wild nature, in all its complexities, and tries to demolish the vacuous reasoning behind those that think that we have long passed the turning point in terms of conservation (the Antropocene Movement).
If you are sensitive to the cause of nature's conservatism, you'll find this book a very compelling one. If, on the other hand, you have never payed much attention to this (or these) cause, maybe you'll start to give it a little more attention, and maybe, just maybe, you'll become a convert to the Wilson's idea — giving it little more strength in terms of support. If. For, as Wilson clearly demonstrate, we most probably don't have the luxury of time to postpone such an effort. In the end, Nature will always come out victorious — but if we make the wrong choices, we won't be around anymore to witness it in all its continuous wonder.
