We dont know what weve got until its gone.This brief lucid book by the Director of Science at Royal Botanical Gardens takes you on an unforgettable tour of the natural world showing how biodiversity the rich variety of life in the world and in our own backyards provides both the source and the salvation of our existence. Combining inspiration stories and the latest scientific research Alex Antonelli reveals the wonders of biodiversity at a genetic species and ecosystem level what it is how it works and why its the most important tool in our battle against climate change.A deeper understanding of biodiversity has never been more important as the slow violence of habitat loss has put the fate of almost onefifth of all species on Earth at risk of extinction in the coming decades. These building blocks of life form a network that underpins almost every aspect of our lives providing invaluable sources of food medicine fibre clothing building material and more.