<
https://theconversation.com/should-we-protect-nature-for-its-own-sake-for-its-economic-value-because-it-makes-us-happy-yes-180302>
"As spring phases into summer in North America, with trees flowering and birds
migrating, nature seems abundant. In fact, however, the Earth is losing
animals, birds, reptiles and other living things so fast that some scientists
believe the planet is entering the sixth mass extinction in its history.
This fall, the United Nations will convene governments from around the world in
Kunming, China, to establish new goals for protecting Earth’s ecosystems and
their biodiversity – the variety of life at all levels, from genes to
ecosystems.
Some people, cultures and nations believe biodiversity is worth conserving
because ecosystems provide many services that support human prosperity, health
and well-being. Others assert that all living things have a right to exist,
regardless of their usefulness to humans. Today, there’s also growing
understanding that nature enriches our lives by providing opportunities for us
to connect with each other and the places we care about.
As a conservation biologist, I’ve been part of the effort to value biodiversity
for years. Here’s how thinking in this field has evolved, and why I’ve come to
believe that there are many equally valid reasons for protecting nature."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
