Introduction: Down to Earth

No AccessJun 2023Introduction: Down to EarthAuthors/Editors: Richard Damania, Stephen Polasky, Mary Ruckelshaus, Jason Russ, Markus Amann, Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer, James Gerber, Peter Hawthorne, Martin Heger, Saleh Mamun, Giovanni Ruta, Rafael Schmitt, Jeffrey Smith, Adrian Vogl, Fabian Wagner, and Esha ZaveriRichard DamaniaSearch for more papers by this author, Stephen PolaskySearch for more papers by this author, Mary RuckelshausSearch for more papers by this author, Jason RussSearch for more papers by this author, Markus AmannSearch for more papers by this author, Rebecca Chaplin-KramerSearch for more papers by this author, James GerberSearch for more papers by this author, Peter HawthorneSearch for more papers by this author, Martin HegerSearch for more papers by this author, Saleh MamunSearch for more papers by this author, Giovanni RutaSearch for more papers by this author, Rafael SchmittSearch for more papers by this author, Jeffrey SmithSearch for more papers by this author, Adrian VoglSearch for more papers by this author, Fabian WagnerSearch for more papers by this author, and Esha ZaveriSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1923-0_ch1AboutView ChaptersPDF (1.4 MB) ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareFacebookTwitterLinked In Abstract: Establishes that nature provides essential inputs for human life, health, and prosperity, thus supporting humanity in innumerable ways. People depend on nature for food, medicines, and materials. They depend on functioning ecosystems to filter pollutants, provide clean air and water, regulate flows of water and nutrients, modulate climate, and provide protection from storms. Nature also provides inspiration and meaning, adding richness to human culture. Because nature provides these essential inputs for human life, health, and prosperity, economists treat it as an asset, or natural capital. Natural capital continues to decline at an unprecedented rate, however, in the form of diminishing land fertility, lost flood protection benefits, reduced water filtration, and an increased risk of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19. Misaligned incentives prove largely to blame for this decline. Reversing this decline and using natural capital more efficiently remain opportunities to dramatically increase both economic productivity and environmental benefits such as health, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity, with limited trade-offs. Previous chapterNext chapter FiguresreferencesRecommendeddetails View Published: June 2023ISBN: 978-1-4648-1923-0 Copyright & Permissions Related TopicsAgricultureEnvironmentWater Resources KeywordsENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNSFOOD SECURITYWATER SECURITYCLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENTLAND-USE CHANGELAND MANAGEMENTSUSTAINABILITYNATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENTECOSYSTEMSNATURAL CAPITALNATURAL DISASTERSFLOODSZOONOTIC DISEASESPRODUCTIVITYCARBON SEQUESTRATIONBIODIVERSITYTRADE-OFF ANALYSIS PDF DownloadLoading ...