The document discusses the economic value of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Cape Town, South Africa. It finds that natural areas provide valuable services like tourism and recreation worth R270-R326 million annually, as well as natural hazard regulation saving an estimated R5-R60 million yearly. Coastal ecosystems like dunes and kelp beds reduce storm surge damages, while healthy catchments absorb rainfall to prevent flooding. Invasive species increase fire risks and costs, with 2009 fires in Somerset West causing R25-R40 million in damages. The document argues that investing in natural areas through alien control and other measures can significantly reduce economic losses from hazards like fires and floods.
This document provides resources for creating a water-efficient landscape in Chula Vista, California. It lists 7 sources of information, such as the city's conservation department, local water districts, landscape architects, and irrigation consultants. It also includes links to websites that provide recommendations on drought-tolerant plants, guidelines on plant water needs, and tools for calculating watering schedules. The overall message is that landscaping can be beautiful while also saving water and protecting the environment through the use of native and low-water plants.
The document discusses three potential animals for a new zoo: mudskippers, clown fish, and seahorses. Mudskippers can walk and swim, live in Australia, Eastern Africa, India and Southeast Asia, and look like toads. Clown fish are brightly colored and live in pairs in coral reefs. Seahorses have independently moving eyes, prehensile tails, hold their young in pouches, and eat shrimp constantly. The author chose these animals because seahorses are interesting, mudskippers spend time out of water, and clown fish are colorful and funny.
Local governments and protected areas barborak and severmattdias
Municipal governments play an important role in conserving biodiversity and natural areas. Local governments manage thousands of protected areas and receive many visitors. They provide environmental services and outdoor recreation for growing urban populations. While municipal governments' roles were traditionally limited, reforms over the past two decades have increased their authority and revenue for conservation. Promising examples of municipal protected area systems exist around the world. National and regional governments should support local initiatives to allow municipal governments to play a greater role in protected area management.
Cities and Biodiversity Outlook - presented to Central Valley Café ScientifiqueMadhusudan Katti
Slides from a presentation of the UN Converntion on Biodiversity commissioned Cities and Biodiversity Outlook. Madhusudan Katti, one of the lead authors of the CBO, presented this to the Central Valley Café Scientifíque, on 3 December 2012, in Fresno, California.
The document discusses opportunities for transforming cities to be more sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change and peak oil. It outlines several types of future cities that incorporate renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, emphasize distributed systems, green spaces, and sustainable transportation. Examples are given of cities that have implemented aspects of these resilient city models through projects like renewable energy infrastructure, light rail public transit expansions, urban greening initiatives, and transit-oriented development. The document argues that dramatic changes in how cities are planned and built will be needed to transition to 80% lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
1) The document proposes identifying underutilized parking areas near ecologically sensitive or public transit areas and converting excess pavement to parks and open spaces.
2) Parking data from Tacoma shows the average occupancy is 50.4% with only 9% of lots over 85% occupied. Maps show opportunities to consolidate lots and add green spaces.
3) Implementing the plan could involve building parking garages for consolidation, adding rain gardens, and using grants to revitalize brownfield sites and engage the community.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth at all levels, from genes to ecosystems. High levels of biodiversity are important for ecosystem functioning and human well-being. However, biodiversity is being lost due to threats like habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. Conservation approaches include protected areas as well as international agreements like CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity, which aim to protect threatened species and ecosystems.
This document provides resources for creating a water-efficient landscape in Chula Vista, California. It lists 7 sources of information, such as the city's conservation department, local water districts, landscape architects, and irrigation consultants. It also includes links to websites that provide recommendations on drought-tolerant plants, guidelines on plant water needs, and tools for calculating watering schedules. The overall message is that landscaping can be beautiful while also saving water and protecting the environment through the use of native and low-water plants.
The document discusses three potential animals for a new zoo: mudskippers, clown fish, and seahorses. Mudskippers can walk and swim, live in Australia, Eastern Africa, India and Southeast Asia, and look like toads. Clown fish are brightly colored and live in pairs in coral reefs. Seahorses have independently moving eyes, prehensile tails, hold their young in pouches, and eat shrimp constantly. The author chose these animals because seahorses are interesting, mudskippers spend time out of water, and clown fish are colorful and funny.
Local governments and protected areas barborak and severmattdias
Municipal governments play an important role in conserving biodiversity and natural areas. Local governments manage thousands of protected areas and receive many visitors. They provide environmental services and outdoor recreation for growing urban populations. While municipal governments' roles were traditionally limited, reforms over the past two decades have increased their authority and revenue for conservation. Promising examples of municipal protected area systems exist around the world. National and regional governments should support local initiatives to allow municipal governments to play a greater role in protected area management.
Cities and Biodiversity Outlook - presented to Central Valley Café ScientifiqueMadhusudan Katti
Slides from a presentation of the UN Converntion on Biodiversity commissioned Cities and Biodiversity Outlook. Madhusudan Katti, one of the lead authors of the CBO, presented this to the Central Valley Café Scientifíque, on 3 December 2012, in Fresno, California.
The document discusses opportunities for transforming cities to be more sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change and peak oil. It outlines several types of future cities that incorporate renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, emphasize distributed systems, green spaces, and sustainable transportation. Examples are given of cities that have implemented aspects of these resilient city models through projects like renewable energy infrastructure, light rail public transit expansions, urban greening initiatives, and transit-oriented development. The document argues that dramatic changes in how cities are planned and built will be needed to transition to 80% lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
1) The document proposes identifying underutilized parking areas near ecologically sensitive or public transit areas and converting excess pavement to parks and open spaces.
2) Parking data from Tacoma shows the average occupancy is 50.4% with only 9% of lots over 85% occupied. Maps show opportunities to consolidate lots and add green spaces.
3) Implementing the plan could involve building parking garages for consolidation, adding rain gardens, and using grants to revitalize brownfield sites and engage the community.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth at all levels, from genes to ecosystems. High levels of biodiversity are important for ecosystem functioning and human well-being. However, biodiversity is being lost due to threats like habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. Conservation approaches include protected areas as well as international agreements like CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity, which aim to protect threatened species and ecosystems.
This document provides a definition of ecological education and outlines the aims and goals of an ecological vision for Catholic schools in South Australia. The definition states that ecological education is a lifelong process of understanding the interconnectedness of creation, appreciating it as a gift from God requiring stewardship. The aims are to foster appreciation of creation and responsibility for its care, and develop knowledge and commitment to sustainable responses. The goals are to inspire students to decrease their ecological footprint while increasing their spiritual footprint as creatures made in God's image.
This document summarizes an Antarctic Biodiversity Information Facility (ANTABIF) workshop in 2012. ANTABIF aims to make Antarctic biodiversity data open, linked, useful, and interoperable. It has developed tools like the Antarctic Field Guides website for species identification, a biogeographic atlas of the Southern Ocean, and the Microbial Antarctic Resource System (MARS) for genomic data. Challenges include handling the increasing volume and complexity of data from Antarctica.
Gunnar Hubbard- LEED vs Three Star Green Building Rating SystemsGeoffrey Lewis
The best English language presentation on the differences between the US Green Building Council's LEED system and the Chinese government's Ministry of Construction Three Star green building rating system. Also a great overview on how rating systems drive market transformation.
Presented by Gunnar Hubbard, CEO of Fore Solutions, on March 25th, 2009 at a green building event at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing.
Arts and Culture Strategic Master Plan - Community Coffee Presentationcityofroundrock
The City of Round Rock has hired consultants to make recommendations for supporting and cultivating arts and culture. A thriving arts scene enhances quality of life, economic development, and attracting/retaining residents and businesses. The study will gather input through November-December and develop a preferred vision and alternatives in January. A final report with recommendations will be presented in April-May. Case studies of successful arts-focused projects in Bethesda, MD and the Berkshires are provided.
The document discusses strategies for transitioning cities to become more water sensitive and sustainable, highlighting the need to adopt diverse water sources, use green infrastructure to provide ecosystem services, and build social and institutional capacity. It also outlines Brisbane City Council's efforts to become a more water smart city through their healthy waterways program which aims to improve water quality, enhance riparian zones, and allocate resources effectively to priority catchments.
The Antarctic Biodiversity Portal aims to make Antarctic biodiversity data open, linked, useful, and interoperable. It was originally developed during the International Polar Year as the data and analysis component of the Census of Antarctic Marine Life. The portal provides free and open access to biodiversity data through various online resources and tools. These include the main biodiversity.aq website, the Integrated Publishing Toolkit for metadata and data publishing, and the Antarctic Marine Geospatial Database and Atlas for georeferenced data, expert content, and biogeographic modeling of Antarctic species distributions. Ongoing efforts focus on applying informatics techniques to improve data integration, presentation, discovery, and analysis in support of biodiversity research and conservation applications
Christian economists, environmental externalities and ecological scaleMartin de Wit
Christian economists hold vastly different views on environmental issues that stem from underlying theological divisions. Three typical responses to ecological crises are analyzed: internalizing external costs, acknowledging limits to growth, and taking a pluralistic approach. There are also deep disagreements over policy issues like climate change. While some argue Christianity promotes stewardship and sustainability, others are more skeptical or indifferent.
The document examines alternatives like prioritizing justice and a Christ-centric ethic of discernment. It argues Christian economists should grow in wisdom about complex economic and ecological interactions, finding unity and appreciating particulars. Their task is the careful ordering of love according to Christ's objective reality, involving moral learning case by case. Resolving tensions requires root
Martin de Wit presented at a colloquium in Indonesia on analyzing Google search trends related to beauty from 2010 to 2013. He found that searches for "beauty" increased in topics like religion, science, and literature, but decreased in economics. Searches for "harmony" grew in the category of beauty and fitness but declined elsewhere. The presentation examined search interest in beauty and harmony across different domains to provide nuanced insights on changing interests over time.
Combined Congress Horticulture 2012 Keynote presentationMartin de Wit
The document discusses dimensions and drivers of food and nutritional insecurity in Southern Africa, noting that over 95 million people in the region are undernourished with the majority located in just 5 countries. It analyzes fruit consumption patterns and deficiencies, finding intake is far below recommended levels in Southern Africa. Opportunities for horticultural research and an integrated systems approach are proposed to address challenges of the food system and improve food security.
Global crises and economic implicationsMartin de Wit
The document summarizes a lecture on understanding the global crises and their implications for economics. It outlines the impacts of the crises such as malnutrition, food riots, and child poverty. It examines various views on the causes including instrumental, structural, moral, and ontological perspectives. It discusses economic theories from mainstream and heterodox schools. It argues responses have missed elements like complexity, learning, and transitions. The conclusions call for a more inclusive economic-ecological theory that accounts for physical limits and innovation within complex, dynamic relationships between nature and humans.
The document discusses the economics of landfills based on data from Cape Town, South Africa. It finds that remaining landfill space in Cape Town is 12-14 years based on 2010 estimates. Municipal waste disposed at landfills in Cape Town has increased from 0.5 kg/person/day in the 1990s to over 1 kg/person/day currently. The costs of landfill disposal in Cape Town are estimated to increase from R216/ton in 2011 to R248/ton in 2019 when all closure costs are included. External costs from environmental impacts could increase landfill costs by 20-45% above baseline estimates.
Economic tools and the choice of energy options with specific reference to Re...Martin de Wit
Economic tools can help analyze the costs and benefits of renewable energy options over time, but have limitations. Storage solutions are needed to overcome the intermittency of renewables. Transitions to new energy systems take decades as new technologies diffuse. External environmental costs are not fully captured in traditional economic analysis of energy options. Policy mixes that include regulations, incentives and disincentives can promote transitions to more sustainable energy systems.
Integrated approaches to innovative climate change adaptation and resource us...Martin de Wit
Some of the greatest environmental challenges in the world today are climate change and resource depletion, both of which could have dire consequences for Africa if not handled innovatively. Africa is considered to be very vulnerable to climate change and the unsustainable depletion of resources. Innovative ways of response are, therefore, urgently needed in order to effectively cope with these challenges.
It cannot be assumed, as so often is done on a project level, that such responses or interventions are merely financial, technical or institutional. Social, institutional, political and cultural support systems in Africa are malfunctioning or under severe stress already, hence a systematic transdisciplinary approach that acknowledges complexity and takes account of the whole system transitioning is needed for effective climate change adaptation and efficient resource use.
The aim of the paper is to further explore the parameters of innovative approaches to climate change adaptation and resource use in African conditions. We present a short outline of the academic literature on complexity, transdisciplinarity and systems approaches and apply these to the fields of climate adaptation and resource use.
Suggested parameters for an integrated conceptual model are formulated. It is argued that innovative approaches to complex issues such as adapting to climate change and improving resource efficiency in Africa would require an integrated, systems and transdisciplinary approach that takes African contexts as a point of departure, and that explicitly include an analysis of human behaviour as a force of change. This integrated approach provides a basis for the development of sustainable innovations for climate change adaptation and resource use in Africa.
Notes Presentation: How can the concepts of creation order and eschatological...Martin de Wit
This document discusses how concepts of creation order and eschatological hope can help form an ethical response to current financial, economic, and ecological crises. It explores how creation order, as discussed in reformational philosophy, and concepts of cosmos and eschatology in eco-theology, can provide important resources for constructing a Christian environmental ethic. While creation order and universal revelation are contested ideas theologically, properly understanding humanity's role in creation through Christ-centered ethics may help address criticisms and formulate responses to the crises. The document aims to contribute to the development of a conceptual framework on these topics.
How can the concepts of creation order and eschatological hope help to respon...Martin de Wit
This paper examines how concepts of creation order and eschatological hope can help develop an ethical response to current financial, economic, and ecological crises. It discusses tensions between viewing creation/cosmology versus salvation/Christ as the ultimate source of ethics. While creation reveals God, the Bible is ambiguous on ecology. Ultimately, the paper argues that a Christian environmental ethic must focus on Christ's work and responsible scriptural interpretation, rather than viewing creation order or an expectation of cosmic continuity as the source of ethics.
Reflecting on the economic and ecological crisesMartin de Wit
This document discusses potential responses to current economic and ecological crises. It examines instrumental, structural, moral, and ontological responses. It argues that a more adequate response requires: 1) Accepting a richer interpretation of reality beyond dualisms; 2) Using systems approaches to understand complexity; 3) Guidance from a normative ethic on a theological basis; 4) Visionary and transformative leadership beyond human autonomy. It also reflects on Protestant Christianity's response and the need for responsible biblical interpretation guided by eschatological hope in the resurrected Jesus Christ.
Economic risks and opportunities of new waste legislationMartin de Wit
Waste is valuable.
Waste is not for free.
Sustainable management of waste brings risks and opportunities for private business.
A reflection on the case of Cape Town.
How do we approach messy. practical problems? A reflection on how to respond ...Martin de Wit
The question how to approach practical, messy problems where problems are not well-defined remains actual. The recent financial and economic crisis, as well as an emerging ecological crisis, is an opportunity to reflect on deeper questions on how to approach and inform decisions in the real world.
Is there a case for investing in ecosystem services?Martin de Wit
Martin de Wit gave the opening remarks at the Cambridge Resilience Forum on Ecosystem Services. He discussed how Nelson Mandela found solace and a sense of freedom from gardening in prison on Robben Island. De Wit noted the link between healthy nature and human well-being. He highlighted that the economic value of ecosystem services in Cape Town is estimated between R2-6 billion per year, including avoided damage costs, tourism spending, and replacement costs. However, more investment is needed to maintain these services due to their public good nature and lack of incentive for private investors.
Summary: Investing in Natural Assets. A Business case for the environment in ...Martin de Wit
This document discusses the value of investing in natural assets for the municipality of Cape Town. It finds that:
1) Cape Town's natural assets ("natural factories") provide services worth an estimated R4 billion annually, helping the local economy. However, the municipality only spends 2.5% of its budget on maintaining these assets.
2) Investing in natural assets provides higher returns than other municipal investments, with every R1 spent generating R8.30 in ecosystem services.
3) To increase these benefits, the municipality should develop an effective communication strategy to increase funding for maintaining and enhancing Cape Town's natural assets.
Investing in Natural Assets. A business case for the environment in the City ...Martin de Wit
1. The document presents a business case for investing in natural assets in the City of Cape Town by quantifying the economic value of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) provided by natural assets.
2. It estimates that Cape Town's natural assets provide an annual flow of EGS valued between R2-6 billion, including benefits from tourism, recreation, natural hazard regulation, water purification, and more.
3. Investing in maintaining and expanding natural assets could leverage 1.2-2 times higher economic value than overall municipal expenditures, highlighting the strong business case for environmental protection.
This document provides a definition of ecological education and outlines the aims and goals of an ecological vision for Catholic schools in South Australia. The definition states that ecological education is a lifelong process of understanding the interconnectedness of creation, appreciating it as a gift from God requiring stewardship. The aims are to foster appreciation of creation and responsibility for its care, and develop knowledge and commitment to sustainable responses. The goals are to inspire students to decrease their ecological footprint while increasing their spiritual footprint as creatures made in God's image.
This document summarizes an Antarctic Biodiversity Information Facility (ANTABIF) workshop in 2012. ANTABIF aims to make Antarctic biodiversity data open, linked, useful, and interoperable. It has developed tools like the Antarctic Field Guides website for species identification, a biogeographic atlas of the Southern Ocean, and the Microbial Antarctic Resource System (MARS) for genomic data. Challenges include handling the increasing volume and complexity of data from Antarctica.
Gunnar Hubbard- LEED vs Three Star Green Building Rating SystemsGeoffrey Lewis
The best English language presentation on the differences between the US Green Building Council's LEED system and the Chinese government's Ministry of Construction Three Star green building rating system. Also a great overview on how rating systems drive market transformation.
Presented by Gunnar Hubbard, CEO of Fore Solutions, on March 25th, 2009 at a green building event at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing.
Arts and Culture Strategic Master Plan - Community Coffee Presentationcityofroundrock
The City of Round Rock has hired consultants to make recommendations for supporting and cultivating arts and culture. A thriving arts scene enhances quality of life, economic development, and attracting/retaining residents and businesses. The study will gather input through November-December and develop a preferred vision and alternatives in January. A final report with recommendations will be presented in April-May. Case studies of successful arts-focused projects in Bethesda, MD and the Berkshires are provided.
The document discusses strategies for transitioning cities to become more water sensitive and sustainable, highlighting the need to adopt diverse water sources, use green infrastructure to provide ecosystem services, and build social and institutional capacity. It also outlines Brisbane City Council's efforts to become a more water smart city through their healthy waterways program which aims to improve water quality, enhance riparian zones, and allocate resources effectively to priority catchments.
The Antarctic Biodiversity Portal aims to make Antarctic biodiversity data open, linked, useful, and interoperable. It was originally developed during the International Polar Year as the data and analysis component of the Census of Antarctic Marine Life. The portal provides free and open access to biodiversity data through various online resources and tools. These include the main biodiversity.aq website, the Integrated Publishing Toolkit for metadata and data publishing, and the Antarctic Marine Geospatial Database and Atlas for georeferenced data, expert content, and biogeographic modeling of Antarctic species distributions. Ongoing efforts focus on applying informatics techniques to improve data integration, presentation, discovery, and analysis in support of biodiversity research and conservation applications
Christian economists, environmental externalities and ecological scaleMartin de Wit
Christian economists hold vastly different views on environmental issues that stem from underlying theological divisions. Three typical responses to ecological crises are analyzed: internalizing external costs, acknowledging limits to growth, and taking a pluralistic approach. There are also deep disagreements over policy issues like climate change. While some argue Christianity promotes stewardship and sustainability, others are more skeptical or indifferent.
The document examines alternatives like prioritizing justice and a Christ-centric ethic of discernment. It argues Christian economists should grow in wisdom about complex economic and ecological interactions, finding unity and appreciating particulars. Their task is the careful ordering of love according to Christ's objective reality, involving moral learning case by case. Resolving tensions requires root
Martin de Wit presented at a colloquium in Indonesia on analyzing Google search trends related to beauty from 2010 to 2013. He found that searches for "beauty" increased in topics like religion, science, and literature, but decreased in economics. Searches for "harmony" grew in the category of beauty and fitness but declined elsewhere. The presentation examined search interest in beauty and harmony across different domains to provide nuanced insights on changing interests over time.
Combined Congress Horticulture 2012 Keynote presentationMartin de Wit
The document discusses dimensions and drivers of food and nutritional insecurity in Southern Africa, noting that over 95 million people in the region are undernourished with the majority located in just 5 countries. It analyzes fruit consumption patterns and deficiencies, finding intake is far below recommended levels in Southern Africa. Opportunities for horticultural research and an integrated systems approach are proposed to address challenges of the food system and improve food security.
Global crises and economic implicationsMartin de Wit
The document summarizes a lecture on understanding the global crises and their implications for economics. It outlines the impacts of the crises such as malnutrition, food riots, and child poverty. It examines various views on the causes including instrumental, structural, moral, and ontological perspectives. It discusses economic theories from mainstream and heterodox schools. It argues responses have missed elements like complexity, learning, and transitions. The conclusions call for a more inclusive economic-ecological theory that accounts for physical limits and innovation within complex, dynamic relationships between nature and humans.
The document discusses the economics of landfills based on data from Cape Town, South Africa. It finds that remaining landfill space in Cape Town is 12-14 years based on 2010 estimates. Municipal waste disposed at landfills in Cape Town has increased from 0.5 kg/person/day in the 1990s to over 1 kg/person/day currently. The costs of landfill disposal in Cape Town are estimated to increase from R216/ton in 2011 to R248/ton in 2019 when all closure costs are included. External costs from environmental impacts could increase landfill costs by 20-45% above baseline estimates.
Economic tools and the choice of energy options with specific reference to Re...Martin de Wit
Economic tools can help analyze the costs and benefits of renewable energy options over time, but have limitations. Storage solutions are needed to overcome the intermittency of renewables. Transitions to new energy systems take decades as new technologies diffuse. External environmental costs are not fully captured in traditional economic analysis of energy options. Policy mixes that include regulations, incentives and disincentives can promote transitions to more sustainable energy systems.
Integrated approaches to innovative climate change adaptation and resource us...Martin de Wit
Some of the greatest environmental challenges in the world today are climate change and resource depletion, both of which could have dire consequences for Africa if not handled innovatively. Africa is considered to be very vulnerable to climate change and the unsustainable depletion of resources. Innovative ways of response are, therefore, urgently needed in order to effectively cope with these challenges.
It cannot be assumed, as so often is done on a project level, that such responses or interventions are merely financial, technical or institutional. Social, institutional, political and cultural support systems in Africa are malfunctioning or under severe stress already, hence a systematic transdisciplinary approach that acknowledges complexity and takes account of the whole system transitioning is needed for effective climate change adaptation and efficient resource use.
The aim of the paper is to further explore the parameters of innovative approaches to climate change adaptation and resource use in African conditions. We present a short outline of the academic literature on complexity, transdisciplinarity and systems approaches and apply these to the fields of climate adaptation and resource use.
Suggested parameters for an integrated conceptual model are formulated. It is argued that innovative approaches to complex issues such as adapting to climate change and improving resource efficiency in Africa would require an integrated, systems and transdisciplinary approach that takes African contexts as a point of departure, and that explicitly include an analysis of human behaviour as a force of change. This integrated approach provides a basis for the development of sustainable innovations for climate change adaptation and resource use in Africa.
Notes Presentation: How can the concepts of creation order and eschatological...Martin de Wit
This document discusses how concepts of creation order and eschatological hope can help form an ethical response to current financial, economic, and ecological crises. It explores how creation order, as discussed in reformational philosophy, and concepts of cosmos and eschatology in eco-theology, can provide important resources for constructing a Christian environmental ethic. While creation order and universal revelation are contested ideas theologically, properly understanding humanity's role in creation through Christ-centered ethics may help address criticisms and formulate responses to the crises. The document aims to contribute to the development of a conceptual framework on these topics.
How can the concepts of creation order and eschatological hope help to respon...Martin de Wit
This paper examines how concepts of creation order and eschatological hope can help develop an ethical response to current financial, economic, and ecological crises. It discusses tensions between viewing creation/cosmology versus salvation/Christ as the ultimate source of ethics. While creation reveals God, the Bible is ambiguous on ecology. Ultimately, the paper argues that a Christian environmental ethic must focus on Christ's work and responsible scriptural interpretation, rather than viewing creation order or an expectation of cosmic continuity as the source of ethics.
Reflecting on the economic and ecological crisesMartin de Wit
This document discusses potential responses to current economic and ecological crises. It examines instrumental, structural, moral, and ontological responses. It argues that a more adequate response requires: 1) Accepting a richer interpretation of reality beyond dualisms; 2) Using systems approaches to understand complexity; 3) Guidance from a normative ethic on a theological basis; 4) Visionary and transformative leadership beyond human autonomy. It also reflects on Protestant Christianity's response and the need for responsible biblical interpretation guided by eschatological hope in the resurrected Jesus Christ.
Economic risks and opportunities of new waste legislationMartin de Wit
Waste is valuable.
Waste is not for free.
Sustainable management of waste brings risks and opportunities for private business.
A reflection on the case of Cape Town.
How do we approach messy. practical problems? A reflection on how to respond ...Martin de Wit
The question how to approach practical, messy problems where problems are not well-defined remains actual. The recent financial and economic crisis, as well as an emerging ecological crisis, is an opportunity to reflect on deeper questions on how to approach and inform decisions in the real world.
Is there a case for investing in ecosystem services?Martin de Wit
Martin de Wit gave the opening remarks at the Cambridge Resilience Forum on Ecosystem Services. He discussed how Nelson Mandela found solace and a sense of freedom from gardening in prison on Robben Island. De Wit noted the link between healthy nature and human well-being. He highlighted that the economic value of ecosystem services in Cape Town is estimated between R2-6 billion per year, including avoided damage costs, tourism spending, and replacement costs. However, more investment is needed to maintain these services due to their public good nature and lack of incentive for private investors.
Summary: Investing in Natural Assets. A Business case for the environment in ...Martin de Wit
This document discusses the value of investing in natural assets for the municipality of Cape Town. It finds that:
1) Cape Town's natural assets ("natural factories") provide services worth an estimated R4 billion annually, helping the local economy. However, the municipality only spends 2.5% of its budget on maintaining these assets.
2) Investing in natural assets provides higher returns than other municipal investments, with every R1 spent generating R8.30 in ecosystem services.
3) To increase these benefits, the municipality should develop an effective communication strategy to increase funding for maintaining and enhancing Cape Town's natural assets.
Investing in Natural Assets. A business case for the environment in the City ...Martin de Wit
1. The document presents a business case for investing in natural assets in the City of Cape Town by quantifying the economic value of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) provided by natural assets.
2. It estimates that Cape Town's natural assets provide an annual flow of EGS valued between R2-6 billion, including benefits from tourism, recreation, natural hazard regulation, water purification, and more.
3. Investing in maintaining and expanding natural assets could leverage 1.2-2 times higher economic value than overall municipal expenditures, highlighting the strong business case for environmental protection.
The document summarizes 5 major systemic challenges facing South Africa from a sustainability perspective:
1) The relationship between coal use for electricity and carbon emissions given South Africa's continued reliance on coal for energy.
2) The nexus between climate change, water availability, and food security given South Africa's limited freshwater resources and the region's high levels of malnutrition.
3) The impact of growing trade relationships between China and Africa on development given China's role as a major trade partner and questions around environmental management.
4) The need to address problems in South Africa's water system like failing sewage treatment and acid mine drainage threatening water quality.
5) Managing the large volumes of waste being generated
Talk wfs 6 may 2010 presentation final notesMartin de Wit
Sustainability in its shortest definition is the capacity to endure. To endure one does not only need material goods, but also a mental and spiritual resilience and set of skills on how to cope. When the quality and quantity of our material goods and biophysical environment starts to change, when our fellow South Africans are sick and dying prematurely and when our economy does not deliver the needed health and wealth to all of us, our hope for a better future is severely tested. It is the integrity of our hope that could and should be playing a fundamental role in a possible transition towards sustainability.
In this talk ladies and gentleman, the question of South Africa’s sustainability is under scrutiny. I will first show you that from an ecological, from a human well-being, and even from an economic perspective there are several warning lights on the biophysical and material sustainability of this country. I will also show the remarkable optimism we have as South Africans and highlight the importance of hope. Third, and finally I will argue that we as humans have an ethical responsibility in the individual and collective choices we make. It is our attitudes and behaviours that sustain or destroy.
Sustainability in its shortest definition is the capacity to endure. To endure one does not only need material goods, but also a mental and spiritual resilience and set of skills on how to cope. When the quality and quantity of our material goods and biophysical environment starts to change, when our fellow South Africans are sick and dying prematurely and when our economy does not deliver the needed health and wealth to all of us, our hope for a better future is severely tested. It is the integrity of our hope that could and should be playing a fundamental role in a possible transition towards sustainability.
In this talk ladies and gentleman, the question of South Africa’s sustainability is under scrutiny. I will first show you that from an ecological, from a human well-being, and even from an economic perspective there are several warning lights on the biophysical and material sustainability of this country. I will also show the remarkable optimism we have as South Africans and highlight the importance of hope. Third, and finally I will argue that we as humans have an ethical responsibility in the individual and collective choices we make. It is our attitudes and behaviours that sustain or destroy.
The document discusses translating economic valuations of ecosystems into real-world investments. It argues that while studies have raised awareness of ecosystem value, an institutional system is needed to transform abstract values into financial investments. The author proposes focusing on performing valuation studies to better inform decision-makers, increasing understanding of total system value, and developing new institutional processes and arrangements to capture ecosystem benefits.
1. THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF
CAPE TOWN
WHY INVESTING IN NATURAL ASSETS MAKES SENSE
presented at the Cape Town launch of the The Economics of Ecosystems and
Biodiversity (TEEB) D2 Report, SANBI Kirstenbosch, 9 Sep 2010
presented by Martin de Wit
as based on
2. Overview presentation
• Biodiversity and ecosystems goods and
services (EGS)
• Economic value of EGS in City of Cape Town
• Business case for investment and economic
development
Based on study done by City of Cape Town:
De Wit, M.P., Van Zyl, H., Crookes, D.J., Blignaut, J.N., Jayiya, T., Goiset, V. & Mahumani, B.K. 2009.
Investing in Natural Assets. A Business Case for the Environment in the City of Cape Town. Report prepared for
the City of Cape Town.
3. Biodiversity, ecosystems,
wellbeing
Biologically Delivering more
Additional
diverse systems More resilient and/or better
contribution to
are more functioning quality goods and
human well-being
productive services
Increasingly, ecosystems are seen as capital assets, with the potential to generate a
stream of vital life-support services meriting careful evaluation and investment
(Turner & Daily 2008)
4. Prioritised ecosystem services for Cape Town
Higher High Medium Lower
Natural hazard regulation Water purification and Climate regulation – local Climate regulation global
waste treatment, (air quality)
assimilation
Recreation and Tourism Space for biota Small scale urban farming Fresh water provision
Aesthetic values and sense Water regulation Building materials
of place provision
Fish and marine resources Provision of inspirational
beauty
Natural hazard regulation (buffering function for flooding, fires, sea Educational users
level rise/ coastal surge) Cultural and artistic
practices
Provision of natural characteristics that are conducive to tourism Religious practices
and recreation
Erosion regulation
The improvement of water quality and the assimilation of waste - Disease regulation
ecosystems help filter and decompose organic wastes Harvesting
Materials for craft and
Provision of space for globally important biota, and fashion
Use in productions,
The aesthetics and sense of place provided by the natural
environment advertising and
publications
Based on Participatory Rapid Assessment with line function managers and senior staff 4
Criteria: Beneficiaries, Development Objectives, Environmental mandate, Socio-ecological Risks
5. Valuable flows
Table 1: The value of prioritised ecosystem services to the City of Cape
Town: 2008 (A partial analysis)
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6. Nature’s Value in Tourism and Recreation
Green open spaces: R270 – R326 m/a
Tourism: R965 m - R2.95 bn/a
Nature Reserves: R 68 – R83 m/a Beaches: R70 – R85 m/a
These values are an estimation of nature’s share in the production and
consumption of ecosystem goods and services.
7. Natural Hazards Regulation
Natural Hazards Reduced
Fires Consequences
Flooding Damages
Storm surge & Management costs
Sea-level rise People at risk
Ecosystems: natural barriers and buffers against natural hazards.
• Dune cordons and kelp beds reduce storm surges impact on land.
• Natural pervious ground cover absorb rainfall, impervious ground
cover increases water runoff and flood risk.
Lack of management: enhanced natural hazards risk and potential
damages.
• Invasive alien species enhance fire risk, frequency, intensity, soil’s
vulnerability to erosion → enhance potential damages, fire fighting
costs, and clean up costs.
Nature’s services in hazard regulation: R5m - R60m/a
8. Sea-Level Rise and Storm Surge:
Investing in the coast line
The increased risks of storm surges and their associated costs in Cape
Town have been assessed recently in terms of:
• Loss of real estate value
• Damage to infrastructure
• Foregone tourism revenue
Natural solutions: natural parts of the
coastline which act as buffers are not lost to
development
Increase buffering: creating kelp beds,
rockier beaches and sand dunes that will
increase the absorption capacity of the
coastline.
9. Flooding: Investing in rivers and catchments
Table 2: Impacts of the July 2008 floods in Cape Town
Informal settlements affected 70
Damaged structures 7500
People directly affected 30 000
People housed at emergency shelters in community halls 3000
People displaced in safety zones 2480
Number of meals served twice a day 22 000
Number of blankets distributed 13 000
Source: City of Cape Town, media release No 330/2008, 10 July 2008.
Storm water runs off of impervious surfaces and is not absorbed; runoff
volume typically increases:
- twofold as the catchments’ imperviousness increases to 10–20%,
- threefold with an impervious surface cover of 35–40%, and
- more than fivefold with an impervious surface cover of 75–100%
when compared to catchments with natural vegetation cover.
10. Fires: Investing in alien control
R30 million to R40 million in damages attributable to the March
2009 fires in Somerset West (R25 to R30 million in damages for
Lourensford wine estate and R5 million to R10 million for
Vergelegen wine estate
In January 2000, two wildfires burnt 8 000 ha on the Cape
Peninsula resulting in insurance claims of approximately $5.7
million or R73 million
Invasive Alien Plants lead to higher
damage costs, higher firefighting
costs and avoidable clean-up costs.
11. Water Purification and Waste Assimilation: Investing in
rivers and wetlands
Within assimilative capacities
Wetlands • processing some of the grey and
Water waste water outfalls
purification • creation of recreational and
economic opportunities
function • contribution to a healthy
environment for communities.
Services provided by wetlands save cities significant amounts of infrastructural costs if the
natural ecosystem wasn’t present or became inefficient.
Zandvlei:
• Replacement cost of a treatment plant: R180 million
estimated.
• Replacement cost of a flood storage capacity: R24 million
estimated
• Costs of constructing an artificial wetland.
Illustrates the magnitude of the “free” services provided.
12. Space for Biota: Investing in biodiversity
Biodiversity needs to be recognised and valued as a critical
‘umbrella’ service without which most other valuable ecosystems
services would be diminished or may even become unavailable.
Cape Floral
Kingdom
9000 plant species
70% endemic
2002 - 2006: International funding = R225 million
2008 - 2009: Environmental Education Programs =
23 781 learners from 500 schools.
13. Film making: Investing in scenery and aesthetics
Table 3: Number of productions and expenditure in the Cape Town and
Western Cape film industry (2005/2006)
Average expenditure Total
Number of
per production (Rm expenditure
productions
2006) (Rm 2006)
Long form (features) 30 37.2 1 115.6
Local Commercials 142 0.9 162.5
Service Commercials 400 1.8 631.8
International Commercials 58 2.6 77.9
Stills 2 100 0.3 659.8
Provincial Total 2 730 2 647.6
Cape Town Total 2 027.0
Source: Standish & Boting (2007)
Film and advertising total values associated with natural
assets of between R133 million and R398 million pa
14. 3. MAKING A BUSINESS CASE
Insights into the level of environmental expenditures in relation to
the benefits received from the natural environment.
Net present value of combined natural assets:
Indicator
1 → R43 billion to R82 billion.
Ratio of environmental expenditure to the value generated EGS
→ R1 spent by municipality on natural assets ≈ R8.30 (range
Indicator
2 R4.50 - R13.50) of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) generated
compared to
→ R1 spent by municipality overall ≈ R 7.30 added value
generated in local economy
Leverage of municipal
expenditure on economic
value of EGS >
Between 1.2 and 2 times
Leverage of municipal
expenditure on the broader
City economy.
15. CONCLUSION
Investing into underlying natural assets can leverage relatively high
economic value in the broader City economy (1.2 - 2 times higher than
overall municipal expenditure).
Investing and maintaining the City’s natural assets or ‘ecological
infrastructure’ yields highly valuable services which provide the backbone
for value addition in the City’s economy.
It is conservatively estimated that the highest priority natural assets in the City
yield a flow of services valued at R4 billion per annum, within a range of
between R2 billion and R6 billion per annum.
As an entity focused on service provision and as an enabler of economic
growth and development, the municipality has the mandate and opportunity to
invest adequately in natural assets to maintain a healthy flow of services to the
benefit of people living in and visiting Cape Town.
16. Nature provides a free lunch, but
only if we control our appetites.
William Ruckelshaus, Business Week, 18 June 1990