Economics of ecosystems
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) project aims to build awareness of the economic benefits of biodiversity by quantifying the costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and to offer strategies developed through science, economics and policy to move toward net growth in biodiversity. The project sets it sights particularly on emphasizing the role of natural systems in combating climate change through carbon storage; its agenda is to increase global funding and policy initiatives for ecosystem restoration.
Treehugger points out a compelling bit of monetization:
TEEB points out that the rate of return on investments to preserve the Earth’s ecological infrastructure can offer a great return on investment. An investment in maintaining natural areas of $45 billion could preserve some $5 trillion a year in (currently unpaid for) ecosystem services.
These sort of environmental economics seem to be catching on.
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