Politicians and public officials speak often about the importance of species and habitat preservation, but few do much of substance to further the cause. In a long and illustrious career, scholar and author Edward O. Wilson has fought to narrow the chasm between rhetoric and action.

Wilson will discuss the long-term sustainability of worldwide biodiversity - and outline a proposal for its preservation - at Sweet Briar College's Waxter Environmental Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in Murchison Lane Auditorium, Babcock Fine Arts Center. His talk, "The Future of Life," is the title of his latest book, which addresses the shrinking number of animal and plant species and the environmental conditions they need to survive and thrive. Tickets for his appearance are almost sold out (see below).

Often called "the father of biodiversity," Wilson is a Pellegrino Research Professor of entomology at Harvard University and the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "On Human Nature" (1978) and "The Ants" (1990). He has also won the National Medal of Science and the Crafoord Prize from Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences - the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for ecologists.

Dave Orvos, SBC professor of environmental science, spearheaded Wilson's visit. He feels that anyone concerned about the future of the world and its environment has something to gain from hearing the veteran scholar's ideas.

"Wilson is one of greatest scientists in history of the world," he said. "I don't care what your major is in, you should care about the world you live in, in some manner."

Wilson is also a natural fit for the annual Waxter Environmental Forum, an annual SBC lecture that focuses on environmental issues affecting today's students and the world. It is made possible by Julia B. Waxter, who graduated from Sweet Briar in 1949 with a degree in government and economics, and her husband, Bill Waxter.

Orvos has admired Wilson's research and writings since his time at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, where he earned a Ph.D. in biology and engaged in research as a postdoctoral associate in the 1980s. "E.O. Wilson is one of the most credentialed scientists ever," he said. "I felt he would be an excellent draw for the Waxter Forum."

When it comes to world policy on biodiversity preservation, he noted, Wilson is one of the few individuals with the potential to significantly influence its course. "Everyone says it's important, but no one really does anything. His plan for long-term preservation is something I believe is realistic and can be done by world's governments. He has a very viable plan, but it's not without critics."

The plan essentially calls for targeting the most sensitive tropical wilderness areas and extremely "hot," i.e. endangered, spots on land and shallow marine habitats for permanent preservation. About 70 percent of endangered plant and animal species could be saved for a onetime investment of $30 billion.

"Try to build support for that plan," Orvos said with more than a hint of skepticism.

If the title of Wilson's lecture sounds ominous or heavy handed, then so be it. What concerns Orvos has less to do with the quality of his life than that of his children and grandchildren. "The 'Future of Life' is an examination of what happens in next 50 years if we continue to act as we're acting," he said. "The polar bear will probably be extinct in their lifetime. It's heavy, deep, and real when you stop and think about it ... Once they're gone, they're gone."

In addition to the hefty dollar figure, the time frame and the necessary level of world cooperation are also hard sells to the powers-that-be, not to mention the general public. In his books, speeches, and discussions with political and economic leaders, Wilson emphasizes that the issue is global in nature and has implications for centuries rather than years or decades.

"More of the world needs to embrace the fact that we're not looking at the next economic quarter, but how we can sustain ourselves as society for next 100 to 200 years," Orvos said. "Some people will call that alarmist. Some say technology will solve anything that comes up."

While he acknowledges that there's some truth to that concept, it doesn't change the fact that humans are consuming resources at rates that are simply unsustainable over the long haul. Like Wilson, Orvos advocates adopting minor behavioral changes that have a positive impact over time, noting that Iroquois Native Americans look ahead seven generations when making large-impact decisions.

"What if we treated the environment like that?" he asked. "How would we change our way of life? Wilson is tied in with that [line of thought]."

Orvos encourages students and others to secure the remaining handful of tickets - for their own good. "This is an awesome event," he said. "Every student should partake of it. It has the potential to change your life."

Tickets are free but required and a few remain available at the SBC Bookshop and the Macon Bookshop at Randolph-Macon Woman's College. For more information, please contact Dave Orvos, associate professor of environmental studies, at dorvos@sbc.edu, or call (434) 381-6532.

- By Shannon Wells