I should teach the world that evolution is the single unifying principle that explains the nature and the diversity of life on Earth. I should teach the world to understand how evolution proceeded, as life unfolded over at least 3.5billion years - into the tens of millions of kinds of living organisms that inhabit our planet today, into their genetic diversity, and into the seemingly endless ways in which these organisms interact with one another, in communities and ecosystems.

To understand our nature, our past, and our hopes for future progress, understanding the process of evolution is vital. Without understanding evolution, we would be unable to build a more sustainable future, for ourselves and for all those who will follow us.

Peter Raven is coauthor of Biology of Plants (buy this book from Amazon (UK) or Amazon (USA)), and Environment (buy this book from Amazon (UK) or Amazon (USA)).