The Prince of Wales has written a book called Harmony about how man has become "dangerously disconnected" from nature, his publishers said today.

The work is expected to appear on the shelves next year and will also be turned into a children's picture book.

Heir to the throne Charles explores the idea of restoring the lost balance between man and nature.

According to HarperCollins Publishers which has acquired the world rights to Harmony, the book looks at how people can make a difference to the survival of the planet.

It also explores the problems caused by a "relentless pursuit" of economic growth and advances in technology.

Clarence House said the future King was "pleased" his book, which will be released in both the UK and the US, was being published.

The Prince is passionate about his ideas on the subject, airing his opinions in public and warning that the modern world needs to change before it is too late.

He is also committed to raising awareness about tackling climate change.

HarperCollins said: "Harmony presents an original and compelling analysis of how we view the world today.

"It argues that in our relentless pursuit of economic growth and technological progress we have become dangerously disconnected from Nature.

"As humanity faces the multiple challenges of climate change, ecological destruction, economic instability and continuing human poverty, Harmony encourages us to restore the lost balance between Man and Nature and to follow a more philosophical path which reconnects humankind with ancient wisdom and intuition."

Delivering the Roscoe Lecture in 2007 after receiving an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University, Charles said: "In some of our actions we now behave as if we were "masters of Nature" and, in others, as mere bystanders.

"If we could rediscover that "sense of harmony"; that sense of being a part of, rather than apart from Nature, we would perhaps be less likely to see the world as some sort of gigantic production system, capable of ever-increasing outputs for our benefit - at no cost."

Lisa Sharkey, senior vice president at HarperCollins, said: "The Prince's practical, accessible narrative on how each of us can make a difference to ensure our children's future, and the survival of our planet, is of utmost importance today."

The Prince is not being paid a fee for the book. An advance and a share of the profits will be given to charity.

The work will be published in the UK by Patrick Janson-Smith of Blue Door - an imprint of HarperCollins' Press Books division.

It is due to published in 2010, with the picture book planned for 2011.

The Prince has written a number of books including A Vision of Britain: A Personal View of Architecture in 1989.

He also wrote a children's story The Old Man of Lochnagar for his younger brothers, which was later published in 1980.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: "It's fair to say the Prince is pleased his book is going to be published."

HarperCollins is one of the largest English-language publishers in the world.