The world's species, genes, and ecosystems are going extinct at an alarming and unprecedented rate, largely as a result of human activities. If this trend continues, human civilization itself is at risk. Yet we remain either unaware or unconcerned. In Biodiversity and Democracy, Paul Wood looks at this dilemma from another perspective. He argues that the problem can be traced back to how we think about both biodiversity and democratic societies. He examines the concept of biodiversity, recasting it as an essential environmental condition that is being irreversibly depleted, not a biological resource that can simply be replaced. He then demonstrates how democratic policies cater to short-term public preferences, with little or no concern for the long term.

Paul M. Wood's profile page

• Winner, K.D. Srivastava Award, UBC Press

Paul M. Wood is assistant professor in the Department of Forest Resources Management at the University of British Columbia.

Interesting stuff, and indicative of the kinds of land planning decisions we will be forced to make over the next generation or two ... is well written and well indexed.

Choice