To preserve and protect

Valuing environmental services saves lives 5

As this new BBC article points out, it appears that the loss of mangroves around cities in Myanmar made the impact of the cyclone much worse, resulting in higher casualties and greater destruction. Scientific evidence compiled after the 2004 Asian tsunami showed that areas with more intact coastal ecosystems suffered less destruction, showing the upside of investing in the preservation of coastal swamps and forests, especially in disaster-prone areas.

These developments highlight the urgent need to continue to demonstrate and make clear to policymakers the tremendous value these coastal environmental services provide. Of course, coastal ecosystems are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the full range of environmental services that forests (both tropical and temperate), wetlands, coral reefs, and prairies provide.

Identifying these values and estimating their magnitude is the first step in making sure that they are not ignored when development decisions are made, or when assessing the value of restoring systems that have been degraded.

This is one area where the combination of economics and ecological science can demonstrate why conservation not only pays but saves lives.

Jason Scorse, PhD
Associate Professor
Chair of the International Environmental Policy Program
Monterey Institute of International Studies

Institute Webpage: http://www.miis.edu/academics/faculty/node/936

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  1. zgartz Posted 10:49 am
    07 May 2008

    MangrovesNice work.

    Florida is being set up for the same treatment as Myanmar.  Lots of mangroves were removed for condo building.

    I believe they now have laws preventing their removal but I know of one case in Sarasota county where a developer is requesting an exemption.

    More usless litigation.

    Zgartz

    When you have to make a choice and don't make it, you've already made it.

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  2. Erik Hoffner's avatar

    Erik Hoffner Posted 11:58 am
    07 May 2008

    bears repeatingMangrove Action Project in Port Angeles, WA is a key grassroots group combating the loss of mangroves worldwide:
      http://www.mangroveactionproject.org
    MAP partners with mangrove forest communities, NGOs, researchers and local governments to conserve and restore mangrove forests and related coastal ecosystems, while promoting community-based, sustainable management of coastal resources.
    They also do really cool eco-work-study tours on conserving mangroves. Though I don't think they've taken a group to Myanmar any time recently. Usually they go to India and Thailand, I think.
    Erik

    The Orion Grassroots Network: 1,200+ grassroots groups working for conservation & more

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  3. Tasermons Partner Posted 3:43 pm
    07 May 2008

    Resemblance......to how Katrina was more powerful for landfall due to the destruction of wetlands around New Orleans.

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  4. hcsteiner Posted 5:09 am
    08 May 2008

    shrimp or mangrovesI spent some time in Ecuador this summer, where it is estimated that 90% of their mangroves and coastal tropical forest have already been cut down.  In addition to the urbanization and road expansion that are driving their destruction, an even larger cause is the creation of coastal shrimp farms.  By building them near enough to the ocean, the tides can flood and drain from the artificial pools, introducing new water and food.  Shrimp is one of Ecuador's largest exports, most of which end up in the United States, and the industry has created many jobs.  Despite the benefits that shrimp farmers and American consumers enjoy, they cannot account for the dangerous level of risk that Ecuador must endure.  As ocean levels rise, Ecuador risks losing their  coastal villages and remaining mangroves, as well as the shrimping industry that motivated mangrove destruction in the first place.

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  5. Storm Dragon Posted 6:48 am
    08 May 2008

    As I've always said...Protecting the environment is not a luxury for wealthy nations-it's a necessity for all of us.

    Let the jaguars return!

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