S1E83: How to truly value nature

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits
Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from
biodiversity conservation to climate change.


If you look at a stretch of rainforest, how do you measure its
true value? Is it for the timber in the trees, the medicines in
the roots and bark, the water stored in its soils or for its
ability to absorb carbon dioxide? A local villager might value it
more for its cultural or spiritual worth or for the animals that
provide food. A palm oil plantation developer might value the
land the forest stands on.


Scientists tell us that nature provides benefits to people worth
trillions of dollars a year, from the air we breathe to the soils
we grow our food in. But it really depends on your perspective.
And that’s the challenge in trying to put a value on nature. The
more humanity destroys nature, the greater the threat to our
existence. 


Recently, the United Nations’ science advisory panel for
biodiversity, known as IPBES, looked at this complex issue and
found dozens of ways to measure the value of nature. The report
came up with guidelines for policymakers. It found that putting a
narrow economic value on nature is one of the key reasons behind
the loss and damage to the world’s ecosystems. 


In this episode, The Straits Times’ environment correspondent
Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty discuss nature
valuation with Dr Michael Christie, Professor of Environmental
and Ecological Economics at Aberystwyth University in Wales, who
is one of the co-chairs of the report. 


Highlights (click/tap above):


1:33  Examples of nature's value?


4:46 Why is it important to consider different ways to value
nature?


7:20 Main recommendations of the IPBES report


12:24 How to manage conflicts over developments such as building
a wind farm that might harm local wildlife?


15:13 Best ways for city-dwellers to connect with nature


Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty
(dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim


Edited by: Hadyu Rahim


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