And that's not mentioning the fact that Moyers delighted by asking the questions on my mind or that I rarely have had the opportunity to chat with the likes of Nobel Prize winners, provocative authors, or international activists. An interview with scientist E. O. Wilson is a perfect example...

Wilson is a Harvard-based scientist who started many years ago by studying ants, or as he puts it, "Every kid has a bug period. ... I never grew out of mine." It is about his accessible writings for the public, including what many consider his most important book, THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE , a 424-page work about the tremendous interconnectivity of Earth's biosphere, and how human civilization is gravely threatening it, that Moyers chose to interview him. "This is the only planet we're ever going to have. This planet has taken tens, hundreds of millions of years to create this beautiful natural environment we have that's taken care of us so well that is, in fact, our greatest natural heritage. And we're throwing it away in a matter of a few decades." Wilson makes strong statements on energy, climate change, over-consumption, and loss of natural habitat that are unusual for a scientist.

But just as humans have the power to destroy our natural surroundings, Wilson optimistically states, he believes that we, too, have the power to change our course and develop a sustainable civilization that maintains the diversity of life on the planet. Moyers challenged this optimism, as we have all been challenged in our optimistic moments, and Wilson responds patiently and reasonably enough to stir the hope that many outside the choir will heed his message.

With Bill Moyers off the air, I'm searching for a substitute. Meanwhile, PBS' usual collection of useful resources and links can be found by clicking here.