Human impact on our planet has not been as bad as though according to the book.

In his new book, Inheritors of the Earth, ecologist and environmentalist professor Chris Thomas, overturns the accepted story of declining biodiversity on Earth, revealing how nature is fighting back.

The University of York academic says nature is fighting back against human industrialisation of the globe and that, in the short-term, climate change has benefited some species.

His book challenges us to "look positively at the impact of humans on the natural world”.

The professor argues many animals and plants actually benefit from our presence, raising biological diversity in most parts of the world and increasing the rate at which new species are formed, perhaps to the highest level in Earth's history.

A statement from the university about the book said: "He argues that the fauna and flora of Britain are much richer today than 10,000 years ago as a result of farming, towns, gardening, climate change and the deliberate introduction of exotic species.

"In Britain, the effects can be seen with the humble sparrow. Sparrows are not native to our country but spread from central Asia with people.

"In Italy they hybridised with Spanish sparrows to produce a new true-breeding species.

"Once in decline, they are now protected and encouraged in Britain."

Express.co.uk asked the academic how climate change could benefit wildlife.