University of East Anglia Dr Collins will discuss his book “The Unselfish Spirit: Human Evolution in a Time of Global Crisis” at the Hay Festival on May 21

We need to adapt how we live and work better with nature to solve the world’s ecological crisis – according to Dr Mick Collins from the University of East Anglia.

NORFOLK, UK, 20-5-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — He will discuss his award-winning book The Unselfish Spirit: Human Evolution in a Time of Global Crisis at the Hay Festival on Thursday, May 21.

He said: “We must urgently adapt our ways of living, because modern lifestyles are resulting in an unceasing assault on the world’s eco-systems, upon which we depend for life.

“We have been treating the Earth as an object to be exploited, and have consequently cut ourselves off from evolving co-operatively with nature. We have to find new ways of doing, knowing and being so that we can live in harmony with all life.”

The Unselfish Spirit draws inspiration from diverse fields such as cosmology, new biology and quantum physics, to outline new ways of living creatively and harmoniously as a species.

“Humanity has never encountered a global crisis on such a scale before. But this crisis before us is also an opportunity for us to direct our skills, talents, intelligence, interests and passions towards an improved future.

“We need to unlock the secrets of how we as a race can collectively grow our consciousness to solve the complex web of challenges that threaten life on Earth.

“We need a collective human transformation. This is about evolving a greater interdependent relationship with all life, which means that communities will need to work with nature, not against it.

“We need to mobilise humanity’s untapped potential to work for sustainable solutions and for the greater good. And whilst nations and social institutions must be encouraged to do more to reduce carbon emissions, of equal importance is this need to mobilise.

“Humanity needs to re-imagine, re-engage and renew ways of doing and being, which could lead to more harmonious relationships with others, other species and nature as a whole.

“The engagement of our human potential and the wise management of the earth’s finite resources is the next evolutionary step for humanity. In short, individuals, institutions and societies need to encourage and evolve collaborative networks that empower people to engage their transformative potential and actions.”

Dr Collins is from UEA’s School of Health Sciences. He will appear at the Hay Festival in conversation with Andy Middleton on Thursday, May 21, at 7pm as part of the ‘Hay on Earth’ series at Oxfam Moot.

For more information visit: www.hayfestival.com/p-9565-mick-collins-talks-to-andy-middleton.aspx

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University of East Anglia Dr Collins will discuss his book “The Unselfish Spirit: Human Evolution in a Time of Global Crisis” at the Hay Festival on May 21