Personal Benefits

Natural Capital is something we all own, all share and all need to protect.

What is the perfect crime?  A theft that’s barely noticed.  Natural Capital is a communal wealth.  It’s something we all own and benefit from.  Each time an ecosystem service is degraded, we all lose just a little.  Imperceptible until we account for it.

We wouldn’t let our bank manager off the hook if they lost our deposits.  So why do we let our governments off the hook when they allow our wealth to be exploited?  Why do we continue to trade with people who exploit it?

As citizens, it’s our responsibility to be aware of our share of Natural Capital.  You can make a difference through the choices you make in your daily life as a consumer and as a voting citizen.

Stay informed of the issues and try to inform your friends and family. You can also join our discussions on Twitter and Facebook, and stay up-to-date with our news.

Recent Posts

By Georgina Langdale, Nov 2

Georgina Langdale

TEEB Conference 2012, Extended Call for Papers and additional topics

It is a pleasure to announce the TEEB Conference 2012, Mainstreaming the Economics of Nature: Challenges for Science and Implementation, taking place in Leipzig, Germany, March 19-22, 2012. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a major international initiative …

More

Advice & Guidance / Agriculture / Cities / Community Gains / Ecosystem Services / Forests / General / National Assets / Natural Capital / Oceans / Personal Benefits / Protected Areas / Georgina Langdale, 2 Nov 11

By Lara Barbier, Apr 22

Lara Barbier

Earth Day

Each year, Earth Day — April 22 — marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

More

Business Sense / Community Gains / General / National Assets / Personal Benefits / Lara Barbier, 22 Apr 11 Tagged

By Lara Barbier, Apr 14

Lara Barbier

Cultural Values of Forests

Whether enjoying woods as a local recreation, visiting an exotic forest as a tourist or valuing them as part of your livelihood, trees have a special affinity to mankind.

More

Community Gains / Ecosystem Services / Forests / Personal Benefits / Lara Barbier, 14 Apr 11

By Talin Holtermann, Apr 5

Talin Holtermann

Bees for Trees

Can bees help to protect forests? The answer is yes. In Los Negros Valley, Bolivia land owners receive bee stocks and training in honey production in return for protecting cloud forest on their property. More than 3000 hectares of cloud …

More

Agriculture / Community Gains / Forests / Personal Benefits / Talin Holtermann, 5 Apr 11 Tagged , ,

By TEEB Team, Mar 29

TEEB Team

Cities and Green Infrastructure

For the first time in history, more than half of the human population lives in cities. China already has 100 cities with a population of over one million and India has 35. By the year 2050, the UN predicts that up …

More

Cities / Community Gains / Ecosystem Services / National Assets / Personal Benefits / TEEB Team, 29 Mar 11 Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

By Lara Barbier, Mar 22

Lara Barbier

World Water Day

March 22 is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as World Water Day which is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.  The theme for 2011 …

More

Business Sense / Cities / Community Gains / Current Account / Forests / National Assets / Natural Capital / Personal Benefits / Stocks & Investments / Lara Barbier, 22 Mar 11 Tagged

By Nele Steinmetz, Mar 16

Nele Steinmetz

Beauty and Biodiversity

In 2006 the European market size of cosmetic and toiletry articles was valued at € 63.5 billion and the US market at € 38.2 billion. In recent years consumer concerns about health and adoption of more ‘wholesome’ lifestyles have refocused attention back to the ingredients used in cosmetic products. The Natural Cosmetics sector is taking off world wide.

More

Business Sense / Personal Benefits / Nele Steinmetz, 16 Mar 11 Tagged , ,

By Lara Barbier, Jan 4

Lara Barbier

The Private Life of Plants*

Plants, from the rare and exotic to the common and back-yard variety, provide us with a multitude of benefits in our every-day lives.

More

Business Sense / Community Gains / Personal Benefits / Lara Barbier, 4 Jan 11 Tagged , , , ,

By Lara Barbier, Nov 23

Lara Barbier

Biodiversity by Vancouver Film School

Why is biodiversity important? Vancouver Film School students explore the importance of biodiversity in all our lives in this fantastic film. Biodiversity – Vancouver Film School from Vancouver Film School on Vimeo.

Business Sense / Community Gains / Personal Benefits / Welcome / Lara Barbier, 23 Nov 10 Tagged , ,