威爾森（Edward O. Wilson），哈佛大學佩萊格裏諾講座研究教授，哈佛大學比較動物學博物館的昆蟲館名譽館長。為當代最具影響力的科學傢之一，被喻為「生物多樣性之父」、「社會生物學之父」。曾兩度獲得普立茲獎，著有《大自然的獵人》、《繽紛的生命》、《Consilience—知識大融通》、《螞蟻‧螞蟻》等書。

譯者：楊玉齡，專事科學書籍翻譯、寫作。著作有《颱灣蛇毒傳奇》、《肝炎聖戰》，譯作有《基因聖戰》、《大自然的獵人》、《佛剋曼醫師的戰爭》等。

From one of the world’s most influential scientists (and two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning author) comes his most timely and important book yet: an impassioned call for quick and decisive action to save Earth’s biological heritage, and a plan to achieve that rescue.

Today we understand that our world is infinitely richer than was ever previously guessed. Yet it is so ravaged by human activity that half its species could be gone by the end of the present century. These two contrasting truths—unexpected magnificence and underestimated peril—have become compellingly clear during the past two decades of research on biological diversity.

In this dazzlingly intelligent and ultimately hopeful book, Wilson describes what treasures of the natural world we are about to lose forever—in many cases animals, insects, and plants we have only just discovered, and whose potential to nourish us, protect us, and cure our illnesses is immeasurable—and what we can do to save them. In the process, he explores the ethical and religious bases of the conservation movement and deflates the myth that environmental policy is antithetical to economic growth by illustrating how new methods of conservation can ensure long-term economic well-being.

The Future of Life is a magisterial accomplishment: both a moving description of our biosphere and a guidebook for the protection of all its species, including humankind.