Comments on: Making The Case For Earth Repair Work – Part 2

By: Rhamis

Rhamis — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:25:03 +0000

For anyone interested, I’ve since updated the slideshow presentation posted in this piece. You can access it by clicking the link below:

https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dd2h48f9_86dch95pdr

Regards,
Rhamis

By: Rhamis

Rhamis — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:18:59 +0000

Hey, Chuck

Concerning profitability, ERW is by definition a fully profitable activity. I quote a study that was published in Nature which attempted one of the first foral valuations of ecosystem services. The average annual cost was estimated to be US$33 trillion – which is approximately twice annual global GNP (compare US$18 Trillion).

Currently, we create wealth by literally destroying the source of our wealth (i.e. – natural ecosystems and the services they provide). Logically speaking, it’s absolutely absurd. If it were any other type of asset – for example, a financial asset – there’s no way anyone in their right mind would actively degrade or destroy it, decreasing its value.

My contention is that an industry could be – should be – created that has as its explicitly stated goal the restoration and improvement of natural ecosystems as an intelligent, sensible asset management strategy. I’m not even arguing for it from the standpoint of its ecological benefits – because for money people, that’s not a compelling motivator (which has been thoroughly demonstrated).

By: Chuck Hegberg

Chuck Hegberg — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:50:08 +0000

Great article! ERW is a rapidly growing field in the USA as well as Payment for Ecosystems Service (PES). However, I would classify it as more of an emerging market with regulations often working against the efforts. In the presentation I would like to see more detail or examples on the profitability. For these efforts to go mainstream the bottom line is still the bottom line for business especially in difficult and uncertain economies. Also two great books to consider specifically on this subject are by Storm Cunningham – Restoration Economy (www.restorationeconomy.com) and his new one ReWealth (www.rewealth.com). Also folks may want to check out Ecosystems Marketplace (www.ecosystemmarketplace.com). Lastly, you mention a lot of ERW being in agriculture but let us not forget straight up regenerative ecosystem restoration to re-establish lost natural/wilderness area.

By: Rhamis

Rhamis — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:12:28 +0000

Hey, Craig

I’ve got the Rodale Institute info. They’re listed as one of the EWR Practioner references.

The other two examples you gave are excellent. I’ll be sure to include them.

Let’s teg team on this. There’s still time to make additions and changes to tighten things up.

By: Craig Mackintosh

Craig Mackintosh — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:58:42 +0000

Oh, Rhamis - one more resource: The World's Largest Water Harvesting Earthworks Project.

By: Craig Mackintosh

Craig Mackintosh — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:24:15 +0000

Nice work Rhamis. In your presentation you share the Loess Plateau example in China. Another example you may want to work in is this one. It's quite possibly the largest and most successful land regeneration project in the world. Another resource you may be able to use is here, from the longest running scientifically monitored organic/conventional side by side comparison field test in the world.