Earth Economics
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (January 2012) |
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| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Founder | David Batker, Joshua Reyneveld, Jim Puckett, Annie Leonard, Isabel de la Torre |
| Type | 501(3)(c) |
| Focus | Ecological Economics, Tools for Decision Makers |
| Location |
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Area served | Local (Washington State), National (USA), International |
| Product | Green Job Analysis, Ecosystem Service Valuation, Restoration and Conservation Funding Mechanism Development, and other economic analysis tools |
Key people | Earth Economics Team |
| Website | http://www.eartheconomics.org |
Earth Economics, a 501c3 non-profit headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, United States, is dedicated to researching and applying the economic solutions of tomorrow today. Earth Economics provides robust, science-based, ecologically-sound, economic analysis, policy and tools to governments, agencies, non governmental organizations (NGOs), and grassroots organizations. This information is intended to positively transform international, national and regional economic systems and business accounting practices, towards a sustainable economy. Earth Economics has a small in-house staff of economists that collaborate with experts in economics, ecology, hydrology, policy and systems modeling.[1]
Mission statement
Earth Economics applies new economic tools and principles to meet the challenges of the 21st century: achieving the need for just and equitable communities, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable economies.
History
Since 1998, Earth Economics has been promoting progressive, science-based economics to change local and international policy on ecosystem health, fisheries, forests, mining, energy, multilateral institutions, international finance, and toxics. The organization was initially founded as a project of the Tides Center by five dynamic activists from various fields. Its original name was Asia-Pacific Environmental Exchange (APEX). Over the ensuing years, Earth Economics evolved into a successful, autonomous organization and received IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt, public charity status in March 2006. Earth Economics’ staff has many cumulative years of experience working on environmental issues giving tremendous competence to work effectively with NGOs, private businesses and local, state and federal jurisdictions. In 2009, one of the organization’s projects, The Basel Action Network (aka BAN) which focuses on toxics in the environment, spun-off to form an independent 501c(3) non-profit.
Clients
Earth Economics is funded by foundation grants, donations and contracts. They work directly with a variety of groups, including federal, state, county and city governments; other jurisdictions such as flood and conservation districts; non-profit organizations; foundations; and private business. Earth Economics provides analysis and produces reports for policy change, decision making, funding mechanisms, public discourse, litigation, or other emphasis, with the ultimate goal of shifting investment towards conservation, restoration and sustainability of natural systems. Partners include the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, Louisiana State University, American Rivers, Conservation International and others.
Program of Work
Ecosystem Service Valuations:
Working with public, private and NGO agencies, Earth Economics’ Ecosystem Service Valuation (ESV) studies quantify the value of the goods and services provided by regional ecosystems. This valuation justifies the shift of investment toward environmental preservation and/or restoration.
Economic Environmental Impact Statements:
Working with planners, policy makers and private consulting firms, Earth Economics provides justification for specific projects and scenarios based on environmental economic analysis.
Green Jobs Analysis:
Working with local and regional economists, agencies, businesses and jurisdictions, Earth Economics analyzes the jobs that will be created, maintained, or lost by doing or not doing a project.
Accounting and Management Strategies:
Working with public utilities, businesses, large land owners and managers, Earth Economics identifies, and helps clients adopt, new management approaches that value ecosystem services in addition to built infrastructure and raw materials.
Scenario Mapping and Modeling:
Working with leading systems modelers, ecologists and hydrologists, Earth Economics analyzes ecosystem services such as freshwater provisioning, carbon sequestration, flood protection, biodiversity and hurricane protection. This information is used to provide current and future maps showing ecosystem services provisioning, beneficiaries and damage under different planning scenarios.
Funding Mechanisms for Conservation and Restoration:
Working with local and state jurisdictions, Earth Economics applies innovative approaches to fund critical natural infrastructure and conservation work.
Educational Outreach:
Working with philanthropic organizations, environmental and policy NGOs, schools and public agencies, Earth Economics conducts workshops, lectures and media events to increase awareness about ecological economics.
Conversion of Built Capital to Sustainable Function:
Working with the electronic recycling industry, paper mills and other industries, Earth Economics helps catalyze the shift from unsustainable to sustainable technology and industrial processes.
Further Valuation Studies:
Working with academics from around the world, Earth Economics is continually updating their Benefit Value Transfer tool and ESV Study Database to provide up-to-date appraisals.
Accomplishments
Earth Economics has produced dozens of studies and done hundreds of presentations since their founding in 1998. Some of their most noteworthy accomplishments include:
• Providing the economic argument for not drilling for oil in Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park and helping to setup a multi-billion dollar international fund for Amazon forest protection which resulted in international agreements to leave Ecuador’s largest oil reserves in the ground. Soon after, Ecuador became the first OPEC nation to recognize climate change, peak oil and the need to conserve critical ecosystem services.
• Working with local partners to help the Army Corps of Engineers realize the physical and economic value of Louisiana’s wetlands for hurricane protection which resulted in the first Corps’ cost-benefit analysis exemption and application of multi-criteria decision making to include economics, public safety and wetland restoration.
• Establishing the world’s first electronic recycling certification program which resulted in a tripling the profits for the industry’s greenest recyclers and shifting 40% of world trade in electronic waste.
• Working with governments and the fishing industry to develop a framework for converting the spot prawn fisheries to the world’s highest value, most sustainable and first trap-only shrimp industry resulting in increased incomes for local communities through fair pricing (from $3 per lb to $12–18 per lb).
• Working with industry and Washington leadership to define voluntary industrial indicators for the pulp and paper mill industry resulting in increased environmental efficiency and profitability for participating mills.
• Demonstrating the economic value of coastal mangrove systems resulting in new national policies for adoption and protection in the Philippines including mangrove replanting, a moratorium on shrimp aquaculture and increased reforestation efforts.
• Providing economic analysis and studies on international lending and environmental impacts resulting in upgraded lending standards at the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, InterAmerican Development Bank, and 35 export credit agencies and strengthened environmental impact assessment and indigenous people’s policies.
• Co-developing and constant innovation of a robust ecosystem service valuation study database which has reduced the time to do a valuation study from 3 years to 3 months and the cost from $150,000 to $25,000.
Training the Next Generation
Earth Economics has provided training and practical experience to over 160 post-doc, graduate and undergraduate students in the form of thesis work, practicums and internships. At any one time, they have 3-8 interns training at Earth Economics. University partnerships include University of Maryland, University of Vermont, Lousianna State University, Duke University, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Washington, Washington State University, Seattle Pacific University, The Evergreen State College, Oregon State University, Portland State University, FLACSO University, Andian University of Simon Bolivar.
Publications
All publications can be viewed free of charge on the Earth Economics publications page
2011:
What's the Economy For, Anyway? (Book)
Economics of Change: Catalyzing the Investment Shift Toward a Restorative Built Environment
The Puyallup River Watershed: An Ecological Economic Characterization
The Whole Economy of the Snohomish Basin: The Essential Economics of Ecosystem Services
2010:
Valuing the Puget Sound: Revealing our Best Investments
Towards Implementing the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan
Water, Ecosystem Services and Opportunity for Seattle Public Utilities
Flood Protection and Ecosystem Services in the Chehalis River Basin
Gaining Ground: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi Delta
Nature's Value in Qinghai Province, China
WRIA 9 Policy Briefs
A New View of our Economy: Nature's Value in the Snoqualmie Watershed
2009:
“What's the Economy for Anyway?” (film)
The Economic Benefits of the Walla Walla Community College Water and Environmental Center Expansion
The Natural Economy of the Nisqually Watershed
WRIA 9 Funding Mechanisms Report: Generating Payments for Ecosystem Services
2008:
An Ecological Economics Approach to Understanding Oregon's Coastal Economy and Environment
2007:
ITT-Yasuní Initiative Conference
An Ecological Economic Assessment of King County's Flood Hazard Management Plan
2006:
Assessing the Non-Market Values of Ecosystem Services Provided by Coastal and Marine Systems
2005:
Ecosystem Services Enhanced by Salmon Habitat Conservation in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed
Supplemental Ecological Services Study: Tolt River Watershed Asset Management Plan
2004:
Smart Development: An Analysis of 10 Common Myths About Development
Untold Value: Nature's Services in Washington State
A Comparative Analysis of the Inter-American Development Bank's Environmental and Safeguard Compliance Policy – Advance Profile
Failing Grades: A Report Card on the Inter-American Development Bank's Environmental and Safeguard Compliance Policy – Advanced Profile
2002:
The Carbon River Valley Conservation Project: A Lifeline to Mount Rainier National Park
2001:
The Spot Prawn Fishery: A Status Report
1999:
When Trade is Toxic: The WTO Threat to Public and Planetary Health
References
- ^ www.eartheconomics.org