Why Economics Needs to Make Space for Nature

AniolAniol Esteban is head of Environmental Economics at the New Economics Foundation. He is a biologist and environmental economist.  He is the author of, among other things, Natural Solutions: Nature’s role in delivering well-being and key policy goals – opportunities for the third sector, published by nef.  I started by asking what, for him, is the link between nature and wellbeing?

“The link between nature and wellbeing is multiple. At one level, it provides everything we need to live and so guarantees our survival. That’s a very basic condition. At the other level, it makes our lives worth living and delivers multiple benefits. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment produced by the United Nations describes very well the different services the natural environment provides to human beings, using the ecosystem service framework. That’s a very good starting point.

Read more: http://www.resilience.org/stories/2014-10-06/why-economics-needs-to-make-space-for-nature