Recognizing the value of nature
It is hard to figure out how to put a value on rivers or forests, but the wrong thing to do is to give it no value at all
“Although we don’t often give it much thought, urban parks, farmland, forests, rivers and other ecosystems in Metro Vancouver provide an astonishing suite of ecological benefits,” wrote Dr. Faisal Moola, Science Director at the Suzuki Foundation, in an article published in the Vancouver Sun newspaper in November 2010.
“As biological creatures, we depend on natural capital and its ecosystem services to sustain the health and well-being of our families and communities. But these benefits are often taken for granted by decision-makers on land-use issues, such as municipal zoning, because we have such a poor understanding of what they are and what they’re truly worth.”
Natural Capital in BC’s Lower Mainland
The article is about the landmark study titled Natural Capital in BC’s Lower Mainland: Valuing the benefits from nature, released in November 2010 by the Suzuki Foundation.
This report examines the extent of natural capital — forests, fields, wetlands and waterways — in BC’s Lower Mainland region and estimates non-market economic values for some of the benefits these ecosystems provide. The intent of the report is to provide a preliminary assessment of these ecosystem service benefits to better inform future discussion about how to protect and restore the region’s precious natural capital and ensure a sustainable future.
To Learn More:
To read the complete newspaper article, click on Recognizing the Value of Nature to download a PDF copy.