Comments on: What is the World Worth? Putting Nature on the Balance Sheet | Pavan Sukhdev August 3, 4 & 5

By: Denis Frith

Denis Frith — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:48:59 +0000

I have been unable to view Pavan’s presentation but it seems that his attempt to take into account the ecological cost of the operations of civilization is based on a false premise. There was an abundance of natural material wealth before industrialization started consuming it at a high rate. Some of this consumption is replaced naturally so is natural income. But most of it, including natural resources such as the fossil fuels, should be regarded as natural capital that is depreciating. The operation of civilization is a divestment of natural wealth. A realistic accounting of this operation would examine the balance between the increase in the material wealth of civilization against the destruction of natural wealth. Much of the former is due to the efforts of people but this is offset to some extent by the generation of waste in the production process. On the other hand, the destruction of natural wealth is a continuing process as natural income does not offset the depreciation of natural capital. The material wealth of civilization may well be peaking now as its increase is an unsustainable process.

By: Ian Colley

Ian Colley — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:19:57 +0000

Brilliant presentation, and very funny too. Loved the slides with the trawlers all clustered at the edge of a marine reserve. Incisive view of the poverty of economic models that ignore really obvious externalities – draining the swamp that provides millions of dollars of ‘free’ water treatment for a city. Thanks CPD for bringing Pavan here.

By: adie swinburn

adie swinburn — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:40:42 +0000

yes thank you, great opportunity to show support for positive ideas. More opportunities to show strength by gathering in support of climate change sought!

By: Brenton White

Brenton White — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:33:46 +0000

I can’t be there. Good luck.