In light of the recent conversation that several of us have been contributing to on the importance of “valuing” nature, I wanted to share this video that I came across this morning thanks to the IUCN. I have enjoyed the on-going dialogue and feel like it is worth more exploration. This is certainly an important topic and one that many people aren’t educated on (myself included). Sure, I can wax poetic all day long about what nature means to me but how do I translate those emotions into quantifiable figures that a person who couldn’t give a care for a salamander or song-bird will appreciate?
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I thought the phrase “natural capital” was interesting. He refers to it as “the stuff of life.”
-Clay
This approach is more and more valid as the system boundaries of economic assessment are more and more extendend. In Germany, we differentiate between “business economics” and “national economics” as a field of study. We may need to extend to “global economics”. But all arguments are based upon a measurable use – i.e. fresh water which is utilised and then you may calculate a value for the process (i.e. rain) to produce it based upon the absence of fresh water. With “nature” this is much more difficult. Therefore we need a “use” for it, which can be validated and acknowledged. For this, you need to touch nature, experience nature and be able to visit it – or, in other words, “use” it. Out of this use, you are able to calculate and demonstrate a value to it (a good example for me is eco tourism – like 500 $ for 1 h seeing Gorillas, then people will protect them as source of income). Unfortunately, this is not the main route for nature conservatism – they tend to restrict access to nature and close it for the public. I think, this is wrong. Instead more and better management is needed to enable use by the people and prevent abuse. Awareness needs to be increased about nature and the positive aspects in it. Personally, I believe, the MYN-project is one very good way to do this…
Hi Clay, an interesting video, he puts the case over well. Coincidentally, I’ve just been lecturing a large group of undergrads on very similar issues. I’m glad he mentioned the issue of the Amazon – we really do have to ensure that countries such as Brazil have an incentive to maintain forest cover. At the moment, developing rainforest land yields direct economic benefits (agriculture, mining, cattle ranching etc) but protecting trees does not. The valuation of ecosystem services, and the resultant transfer of resources from North to South that would follow, will certainly help to facilitate that.
Hi Dirk and Matt,
Thanks for weighing in on this. I suppose my knee-jerk reaction to this is really inappropriate and emotion-based considering the good that can come from having a value attached to natural resources. Particularly, as you’ve mentioned Matt, in the case of a place like the Amazon. My heart is certainly focused on the “educational component” of conservation and thanks, Dirk, for the vote of confidence for MYN. My heart is certainly gladdened when I see videos of events like the ones that you’ve held in support of the effort. I hope that the viewers are taking notice!
Ultimately, when it comes down to it, it pays to recognize that this is a big world with a lot (!) of people in different situations and with a spectrum of mindsets. There isn’t a one-stop solution to conservation or anything else for that matter. Although I find it sad (sorry John) that we must go to these links to “justify” why we need nature I see its value.
I’ve learned a lot through these conversations. Thanks to you all! I hope that we continue discussions such as these on the blog. It has been wonderful.
Clay