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What Has Nature Ever Done for Us?: How Money Really Does Grow on Trees by Tony Juniper
From Indian vultures to Chinese bees, Nature provides the 'natural services' that keep the economy going. From the recycling miracles in the soil; an army of predators ridding us of unwanted pests; an abundance of life creating a genetic codebook that underpins our food, pharmaceutical industries and much more, it has been estimated that these and other services are each year worth about double global GDP. Yet we take most of Nature's services for granted, imagining them free and limitless ... until they suddenly switch off.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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February 27, 2017
The facts in this accessible natural science book are borne out by many other writers and science papers, and some of the chapters describe well recorded events. Our contribution to the degradation of the natural environment is causing us and the rest of the biosphere harm, is the message, but while we are losing out on the services provided by natural processes there are ways in which we are purposefully helping to restore the balance.
The experiment Biosphere 2 is a focus, perhaps a surprise to those who expect a standard text on pollution. This enclosed dome with seven bio environments from jungle to mangroves was a habitat for a team of eight people for two years. This piece sets the tone of the book, which tells us that nature is brilliantly and intricately engineered by this time and any disruption can reduce our support services. Science is learning how everything operates and what we need to do to restore a balance.
From soil degradation and tree felling to landslides is an easy step to make, but we also need to understand the myriad tiny processes going on in soil - bacteria, fungi etc. A rich fibrous soil is not only more fertile, it captures water better.
We go around the world looking at wetlands in Britain and how the peat shrinks down when drained, then releasing carbon as it dries. From here we go to cities which flood due to storm surges. A mangrove swamp or other wetland, and coral beds, can absorb and soften the blow of a storm or a tsunami as proven in recent years by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina compared to Mitch, or the lands differently affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami.
Also we see the value of an environment in producing oxygen and food - be it on land or sea. And how wetlands are absorbing immense amounts of sewage for cities in Asia, then providing work for people who farm ducks, fish and other foods on the wetlands. However the ocean is heavily overfished and prawn or fish farms are fed by 'trash' fish which is small fish including the young of large edible fish. So we are reducing the amount of large fish in the oceans and we can see the rise of jellyfish, which don't mind warm, oxygen-depleted water, and eat fish eggs and young. Species loss is a vast problem and it is happening everywhere.
For every dire consequence of reducing benefits provided by the natural world, the author shows a positive story but it is telling that the positive side comes about when studies are undertaken with an eye to saving money as well as nature. Cities and companies have saved large amounts by letting nature do the work for them, and the author explains that this should be included on balance sheets of countries as well as companies. When the world is too degraded to do its job, as in the die-off of pollinators, people have to find expensive ways to do the work of pollinating crops instead. Incorporating nature into cities and sports stadium surrounds is contrasted as proven to increase mental and physical health, plus attractive natural countryside has tourism value.
We have all the information, have had it for decades and are gathering more. Now it is up to us to use the information wisely and help restore our world so it can continue to work in our favour.
Books like What Has Nature Ever Done For Us are somewhat of a heavy read if you are not used to a lot of nature and science information, but it can be taken in chapters and there are plenty of places on the net to find images and clips to back up the written word. I would say this is suited to anyone from mid-teens upward if they have a basic understanding of the topic and are prepared to learn rather than be entertained. It's never too late to start being informed.
The experiment Biosphere 2 is a focus, perhaps a surprise to those who expect a standard text on pollution. This enclosed dome with seven bio environments from jungle to mangroves was a habitat for a team of eight people for two years. This piece sets the tone of the book, which tells us that nature is brilliantly and intricately engineered by this time and any disruption can reduce our support services. Science is learning how everything operates and what we need to do to restore a balance.
From soil degradation and tree felling to landslides is an easy step to make, but we also need to understand the myriad tiny processes going on in soil - bacteria, fungi etc. A rich fibrous soil is not only more fertile, it captures water better.
We go around the world looking at wetlands in Britain and how the peat shrinks down when drained, then releasing carbon as it dries. From here we go to cities which flood due to storm surges. A mangrove swamp or other wetland, and coral beds, can absorb and soften the blow of a storm or a tsunami as proven in recent years by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina compared to Mitch, or the lands differently affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami.
Also we see the value of an environment in producing oxygen and food - be it on land or sea. And how wetlands are absorbing immense amounts of sewage for cities in Asia, then providing work for people who farm ducks, fish and other foods on the wetlands. However the ocean is heavily overfished and prawn or fish farms are fed by 'trash' fish which is small fish including the young of large edible fish. So we are reducing the amount of large fish in the oceans and we can see the rise of jellyfish, which don't mind warm, oxygen-depleted water, and eat fish eggs and young. Species loss is a vast problem and it is happening everywhere.
For every dire consequence of reducing benefits provided by the natural world, the author shows a positive story but it is telling that the positive side comes about when studies are undertaken with an eye to saving money as well as nature. Cities and companies have saved large amounts by letting nature do the work for them, and the author explains that this should be included on balance sheets of countries as well as companies. When the world is too degraded to do its job, as in the die-off of pollinators, people have to find expensive ways to do the work of pollinating crops instead. Incorporating nature into cities and sports stadium surrounds is contrasted as proven to increase mental and physical health, plus attractive natural countryside has tourism value.
We have all the information, have had it for decades and are gathering more. Now it is up to us to use the information wisely and help restore our world so it can continue to work in our favour.
Books like What Has Nature Ever Done For Us are somewhat of a heavy read if you are not used to a lot of nature and science information, but it can be taken in chapters and there are plenty of places on the net to find images and clips to back up the written word. I would say this is suited to anyone from mid-teens upward if they have a basic understanding of the topic and are prepared to learn rather than be entertained. It's never too late to start being informed.
March 17, 2014
An excellent discussion of ecology and ecological services. Essentially the author is putting the case for measuring the value associated with various elements of nature and their interactions, as a way to make more compelling arguments for conservation and environmental protection. This is an approach I agree with very strongly: while the emotional arguments are of course very strong, backing them up with numbers and prices can only be helpful.
The author doesn't make the mistake of so many books of this kind, of painting a picture of ecological damage that's irredeemable in any realistic sense. One can argue whether or not this is actually the case, but it's certainly true that encouraging a state of learned helplessness amongst the citizens of the developed world isn't going to be helpful.
The book covers a huge range, and everyone will find a new perspective on some familiar aspect of nature, from the evolution of pollinators to the demise of the oyster beds off the New England coast and their possible effects on the behaviours of hurricanes.
In terms of economics, the author makes a couple of points, one familiar and one less so. The point of including the "externalities" of natural services into prices and company accounts is still strong despite its familiarity: the problem remains coming up with good pricing structures. The less familiar point, though, is that companies treat the services they receive from nature as dividends that are renewed rather than as capital being spent, although many ecosystems have now passed the point of un-managed self-recovery, and so their degradation should be costed in. Having long-term investors think like this would, it is argued, have a significant effect on company behaviour in encouraging them to behave more sustainably. While a lot of the degradation is coming from the other end of the economic spectrum -- subsistence farmers trying to make a living in competition with more efficient large-scale actors -- there's still a lot to be said for this approach.
The author doesn't make the mistake of so many books of this kind, of painting a picture of ecological damage that's irredeemable in any realistic sense. One can argue whether or not this is actually the case, but it's certainly true that encouraging a state of learned helplessness amongst the citizens of the developed world isn't going to be helpful.
The book covers a huge range, and everyone will find a new perspective on some familiar aspect of nature, from the evolution of pollinators to the demise of the oyster beds off the New England coast and their possible effects on the behaviours of hurricanes.
In terms of economics, the author makes a couple of points, one familiar and one less so. The point of including the "externalities" of natural services into prices and company accounts is still strong despite its familiarity: the problem remains coming up with good pricing structures. The less familiar point, though, is that companies treat the services they receive from nature as dividends that are renewed rather than as capital being spent, although many ecosystems have now passed the point of un-managed self-recovery, and so their degradation should be costed in. Having long-term investors think like this would, it is argued, have a significant effect on company behaviour in encouraging them to behave more sustainably. While a lot of the degradation is coming from the other end of the economic spectrum -- subsistence farmers trying to make a living in competition with more efficient large-scale actors -- there's still a lot to be said for this approach.
July 29, 2018
A must read.
April 28, 2021
The author makes scientific knowledge very accessible and easy to follow in this book. If you are into environmental issues or you are a person with concerns about the fate of Earth this is a well-written book worth adding to your list.
“Before we lived in built-up area, we spent our time much closer to nature - in fact, we largely lived in nature. For most of human history our basic economic model was hunter-gathering.
The progressive distancing from nature that has taken place in recent decades is one reason why so many people switch off when they hear about environmental issues. And when they do so, the chances of getting the changes needed to maintain what nature does for us goes down. This is another reason why we need to invest more effort in getting people into contact with it- to literally connect with the Earth.”
“Before we lived in built-up area, we spent our time much closer to nature - in fact, we largely lived in nature. For most of human history our basic economic model was hunter-gathering.
The progressive distancing from nature that has taken place in recent decades is one reason why so many people switch off when they hear about environmental issues. And when they do so, the chances of getting the changes needed to maintain what nature does for us goes down. This is another reason why we need to invest more effort in getting people into contact with it- to literally connect with the Earth.”
September 29, 2022
Sesungguhnya manusia sangat tergantung pada alam, tapi sekarang sudah kehilangan rasa pertalian itu. Manusia sudah tercerabut dari akarnya, bumi.
Tony Juniper CBE adalah aktivis lingkungan dari Inggris yang menghabiskan puluhan tahun hidupnya untuk kepentingan konservasi alam baik di Britania Raya maupun internasional, menjadi konsultan ekologi bagi banyak institusi dan perusahaan multinasional, termasuk menjadi penasihat badan amal Pangeran Charles bidang sustainability.
Ia juga menulis banyak buku tentang lingkungan, perubahan iklim, dan ornitologi.
Penampilan buku ini kurang meyakinkan, tadinya saya pikir isinya bakal gitu-gitu aja, tapi ternyata bagus banget. Dari buku-buku tentang alam yang pernah saya baca, buku ini memberi penjelasan paling padat dan komprehensif tentang keseimbangan alam dan hubungan antar unsurnya, dan ceritanya juga mengalir, tidak seperti textbook.
Dalam buku ini Juniper mencoba membuka mata pembaca tentang betapa besar ketergantungan kita terhadap alam, nilai ekonomi dari alam yang terjaga, dan kerugian finansial yang membebani dunia akibat ketidakpedulian kita terhadap alam.
Pada umumnya kita (baik manusianya secara pribadi maupun secara institusi pemerintah maupun perusahaan) melihat alam dan ekonomi/pembangunan sebagai sesuatu yang terpisah. Fokus ekonomi tertuju pada lapangan kerja, produk, uang, dan profit, alam sebagai 'sumber daya' di latar belakang saja. Yang tidak disadari oleh rata-rata kita adalah bahwa bumi ini bukan sekadar sumber daya yang bisa dieksploitasi. Planet Bumi adalah suatu sistem tertutup yang masing-masing unsurnya saling berkaitan dan saling membutuhkan agar sistemnya seimbang. Suatu sistem yang tidak seimbang pada akhirnya akan membawa bencana.
Buku ini dibuka dengan cerita tentang eksperimen Biosfer 2, sebuah simulasi 'bumi' skala kecil di mana 8 ilmuwan hidup di dalamnya selama 2 tahun dan harus berusaha survive dengan apa yang ada. Di dalamnya disediakan model bioma-bioma seperti laut, sungai, gunung, lahan pertanian, juga 'kota'.
Kesimpulan dari eksperiment tsb antara lain adalah, perubahan sedikit saja dalam sistem tersebut bisa memberi efek besar bagi isinya, tetapi jika manusia bekerjasama berpikir mencari solusi dan menerapkannya, keseimbangan sistem bisa dikembalikan.
Buku ini terbagi menjadi 11 bab:
𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭
tentang tanah, elemen yang sering terlupakan, padahal merupakan sumber kehidupan yang luar biasa penting (sampai ditempatkan Juniper di bab 1).
𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
tentang bagaimana sinar matahari memungkinkan kehidupan ada di bumi.
𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
tentang bagaimana makhluk hidup berevolusi dan beradaptasi dengan lingkungan tempat tinggalnya, sehingga masing-masing area memiliki makhluk dengan fisiologi yang berbeda, yang juga bisa dipelajari dan dimanfaatkan oleh manusia. Keragaman ini penting bagi bumi sebagai caranya menjaga keseimbangan.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬
nyambung dengan bab sebelumnya, flora dan fauna berevolusi secara lokal dan tidak bisa sembarangan ditempatkan di area baru. Diceritakan tentang awal mula perkembangan Selandia Baru sebagai bagian koloni kerajaan Inggris, di mana mereka mulai membuka lahan pertanian dan peternakan. Ternyata tanaman makanan ternak yang dibawa dari Inggris, membutuhkan lebah lokal Inggris juga, yang anatominya sudah berevolusi sehingga cocok untuk penyerbukan tanaman tsb. Baru setelah lebah Inggris diimpor ke sana, tanaman tersebut tumbuh subur.
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥
tentang pengendalian hama dengan memanfaatkan spesies predator yang cocok. Diceritakan tentang hampir punahnya burung bangkai India. Ternyata 'butterfly effect' dari itu, tidak ada yang memakan bangkai ternak dengan cepat => anjing liar semakin banyak => rabies meluas => banyak korban, India harus mengeluarkan dana besar untuk mengatasinya. Padahal awalnya 'cuma' gara-gara pemakaian obat diclofenac pada ternak yang kemudian termakan para burung itu.
Konsekuensi yang tidak terbayangkan sebelumnya ya.
𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬
tentang air bersih, bagaimana alam menyediakan 'layanan' filtrasi air secara gratis melalui hutan, tanah subur, rawa, dan lahan basah, jika saja manusia mau menjaganya. Jauh lebih murah daripada membangun dan mengoperasikan fasilitas filtrasi air bersih secara mekanik.
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
tentang perikanan laut, bagaimana praktek penangkapan ikan yang tidak terencana mengakibatkan banyak kerusakan ekosistem dan merugikan.
𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐭
tentang kekayaan laut dan bagaimana kaitan eratnya dengan kehidupan di darat (manusia darat sering nggak kepikiran soal ini).
𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
tentang pentingnya menjaga alam sebagai 'tameng' manusia menghadapi bencana. Dicontohkan kehancuran New Orleans akibat hurricane Katrina, salah satunya adalah karena hilangnya area rawa antara laut dengan darat, yang bisa membantu mengurangi banjir. Jika saja alam terjaga, kerugian akibat bencana bisa dikurangi.
𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
tentang manfaat alam untuk kesehatan. Menyediakan alam terbuka untuk aktivitas manusia seperti berolahraga atau sekadar menikmati udara segar, akan mengurangi beban biaya sistem kesehatan suatu negara.
𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲
tentang pentingnya mengubah cara pandang ekonomi yang hanya mencari profit jangka pendek, menjadi cara pandang jangka panjang yang di dalamnya mempertimbangkan aspek alam dalam hitung-hitungannya.
Jangan dikira apa yang dilakukan penduduk gunung tidak akan mempengaruhi kehidupan karang di laut, atau sebaliknya. Sedikit saja satu bagian alam berubah, akan ada konsekuensinya di bagian alam yang lain. Itulah kenapa pemerintah Norwegia membayar Indonesia dan Brazil milyaran dolar untuk menjaga hutannya, karena hutan-hutan ini penting untuk keseimbangan alam seluruh dunia, tidak cuma untuk daerahnya sendiri.
Di akhir buku Juniper menulis, "Kuncinya adalah kita harus menyadari bahwa alam tidaklah terpisah dari ekonomi. Kita harus mengubah cara kita 'memperlakukan'nya, kalau mau." Lalu dengan sarkastik ia menambahkan, "Atau kita bisa saja terus seperti ini. Memangnya, what has nature ever done for us?"
Baca buku ini jadi mikir, Nature has done so much, gratis pula, tapi kita membalasnya dengan abuse. Air susu dibalas air tuba banget ya. Dasar manusia, dikasih mandat jadi khalifah di bumi, malah merusak dan nggak tau berterimakasih.
Kalau kita sadar bahwa manusia adalah bagian dari alam, seharusnya kita semua otomatis adalah environmentalist. Bagaimanapun, planet Bumi satu-satunya tempat tinggal manusia. Kalau kita hancurkan, memangnya mau tinggal di mana?
-dydy-
Tony Juniper CBE adalah aktivis lingkungan dari Inggris yang menghabiskan puluhan tahun hidupnya untuk kepentingan konservasi alam baik di Britania Raya maupun internasional, menjadi konsultan ekologi bagi banyak institusi dan perusahaan multinasional, termasuk menjadi penasihat badan amal Pangeran Charles bidang sustainability.
Ia juga menulis banyak buku tentang lingkungan, perubahan iklim, dan ornitologi.
Penampilan buku ini kurang meyakinkan, tadinya saya pikir isinya bakal gitu-gitu aja, tapi ternyata bagus banget. Dari buku-buku tentang alam yang pernah saya baca, buku ini memberi penjelasan paling padat dan komprehensif tentang keseimbangan alam dan hubungan antar unsurnya, dan ceritanya juga mengalir, tidak seperti textbook.
Dalam buku ini Juniper mencoba membuka mata pembaca tentang betapa besar ketergantungan kita terhadap alam, nilai ekonomi dari alam yang terjaga, dan kerugian finansial yang membebani dunia akibat ketidakpedulian kita terhadap alam.
Pada umumnya kita (baik manusianya secara pribadi maupun secara institusi pemerintah maupun perusahaan) melihat alam dan ekonomi/pembangunan sebagai sesuatu yang terpisah. Fokus ekonomi tertuju pada lapangan kerja, produk, uang, dan profit, alam sebagai 'sumber daya' di latar belakang saja. Yang tidak disadari oleh rata-rata kita adalah bahwa bumi ini bukan sekadar sumber daya yang bisa dieksploitasi. Planet Bumi adalah suatu sistem tertutup yang masing-masing unsurnya saling berkaitan dan saling membutuhkan agar sistemnya seimbang. Suatu sistem yang tidak seimbang pada akhirnya akan membawa bencana.
Buku ini dibuka dengan cerita tentang eksperimen Biosfer 2, sebuah simulasi 'bumi' skala kecil di mana 8 ilmuwan hidup di dalamnya selama 2 tahun dan harus berusaha survive dengan apa yang ada. Di dalamnya disediakan model bioma-bioma seperti laut, sungai, gunung, lahan pertanian, juga 'kota'.
Kesimpulan dari eksperiment tsb antara lain adalah, perubahan sedikit saja dalam sistem tersebut bisa memberi efek besar bagi isinya, tetapi jika manusia bekerjasama berpikir mencari solusi dan menerapkannya, keseimbangan sistem bisa dikembalikan.
Buku ini terbagi menjadi 11 bab:
𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭
tentang tanah, elemen yang sering terlupakan, padahal merupakan sumber kehidupan yang luar biasa penting (sampai ditempatkan Juniper di bab 1).
𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
tentang bagaimana sinar matahari memungkinkan kehidupan ada di bumi.
𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
tentang bagaimana makhluk hidup berevolusi dan beradaptasi dengan lingkungan tempat tinggalnya, sehingga masing-masing area memiliki makhluk dengan fisiologi yang berbeda, yang juga bisa dipelajari dan dimanfaatkan oleh manusia. Keragaman ini penting bagi bumi sebagai caranya menjaga keseimbangan.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬
nyambung dengan bab sebelumnya, flora dan fauna berevolusi secara lokal dan tidak bisa sembarangan ditempatkan di area baru. Diceritakan tentang awal mula perkembangan Selandia Baru sebagai bagian koloni kerajaan Inggris, di mana mereka mulai membuka lahan pertanian dan peternakan. Ternyata tanaman makanan ternak yang dibawa dari Inggris, membutuhkan lebah lokal Inggris juga, yang anatominya sudah berevolusi sehingga cocok untuk penyerbukan tanaman tsb. Baru setelah lebah Inggris diimpor ke sana, tanaman tersebut tumbuh subur.
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥
tentang pengendalian hama dengan memanfaatkan spesies predator yang cocok. Diceritakan tentang hampir punahnya burung bangkai India. Ternyata 'butterfly effect' dari itu, tidak ada yang memakan bangkai ternak dengan cepat => anjing liar semakin banyak => rabies meluas => banyak korban, India harus mengeluarkan dana besar untuk mengatasinya. Padahal awalnya 'cuma' gara-gara pemakaian obat diclofenac pada ternak yang kemudian termakan para burung itu.
Konsekuensi yang tidak terbayangkan sebelumnya ya.
𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬
tentang air bersih, bagaimana alam menyediakan 'layanan' filtrasi air secara gratis melalui hutan, tanah subur, rawa, dan lahan basah, jika saja manusia mau menjaganya. Jauh lebih murah daripada membangun dan mengoperasikan fasilitas filtrasi air bersih secara mekanik.
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
tentang perikanan laut, bagaimana praktek penangkapan ikan yang tidak terencana mengakibatkan banyak kerusakan ekosistem dan merugikan.
𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐭
tentang kekayaan laut dan bagaimana kaitan eratnya dengan kehidupan di darat (manusia darat sering nggak kepikiran soal ini).
𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
tentang pentingnya menjaga alam sebagai 'tameng' manusia menghadapi bencana. Dicontohkan kehancuran New Orleans akibat hurricane Katrina, salah satunya adalah karena hilangnya area rawa antara laut dengan darat, yang bisa membantu mengurangi banjir. Jika saja alam terjaga, kerugian akibat bencana bisa dikurangi.
𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
tentang manfaat alam untuk kesehatan. Menyediakan alam terbuka untuk aktivitas manusia seperti berolahraga atau sekadar menikmati udara segar, akan mengurangi beban biaya sistem kesehatan suatu negara.
𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲
tentang pentingnya mengubah cara pandang ekonomi yang hanya mencari profit jangka pendek, menjadi cara pandang jangka panjang yang di dalamnya mempertimbangkan aspek alam dalam hitung-hitungannya.
Jangan dikira apa yang dilakukan penduduk gunung tidak akan mempengaruhi kehidupan karang di laut, atau sebaliknya. Sedikit saja satu bagian alam berubah, akan ada konsekuensinya di bagian alam yang lain. Itulah kenapa pemerintah Norwegia membayar Indonesia dan Brazil milyaran dolar untuk menjaga hutannya, karena hutan-hutan ini penting untuk keseimbangan alam seluruh dunia, tidak cuma untuk daerahnya sendiri.
Di akhir buku Juniper menulis, "Kuncinya adalah kita harus menyadari bahwa alam tidaklah terpisah dari ekonomi. Kita harus mengubah cara kita 'memperlakukan'nya, kalau mau." Lalu dengan sarkastik ia menambahkan, "Atau kita bisa saja terus seperti ini. Memangnya, what has nature ever done for us?"
Baca buku ini jadi mikir, Nature has done so much, gratis pula, tapi kita membalasnya dengan abuse. Air susu dibalas air tuba banget ya. Dasar manusia, dikasih mandat jadi khalifah di bumi, malah merusak dan nggak tau berterimakasih.
Kalau kita sadar bahwa manusia adalah bagian dari alam, seharusnya kita semua otomatis adalah environmentalist. Bagaimanapun, planet Bumi satu-satunya tempat tinggal manusia. Kalau kita hancurkan, memangnya mau tinggal di mana?
-dydy-
March 7, 2013
What Has Nature Ever Done For Us by Tony Juniper
The subtitle to this new book says it all: How money really does grow on trees. Our only planet is heading for extremely tough times, at our hands, and yet although nature can provide all the answers, for free, and although many good things are being developed, we are not paying enough attention or quickly enough. Tony Juniper describes many of the major problems facing planet earth (and therefore us and all other living things) and then explains, with numerous staggering statistics, how nature really could provide the solutions if only our leaders would see the importance and common sense of the situations. Instead we continue to plunder nature’s finite resources and deplete the very help that is available. The book makes you incensed that greed and short-sightedness are causing the loss of our chance to undo the damage. This is about all our futures and the future of our children – it couldn’t be more important – yet instead of these issues being front page news every day we are instead encouraged to spend more and apply our passion to game shows and celebrity gossip. This is a book that you end up wanting everyone in the world to read – especially politicians, economists, educators and company leaders. Highly recommended.
The subtitle to this new book says it all: How money really does grow on trees. Our only planet is heading for extremely tough times, at our hands, and yet although nature can provide all the answers, for free, and although many good things are being developed, we are not paying enough attention or quickly enough. Tony Juniper describes many of the major problems facing planet earth (and therefore us and all other living things) and then explains, with numerous staggering statistics, how nature really could provide the solutions if only our leaders would see the importance and common sense of the situations. Instead we continue to plunder nature’s finite resources and deplete the very help that is available. The book makes you incensed that greed and short-sightedness are causing the loss of our chance to undo the damage. This is about all our futures and the future of our children – it couldn’t be more important – yet instead of these issues being front page news every day we are instead encouraged to spend more and apply our passion to game shows and celebrity gossip. This is a book that you end up wanting everyone in the world to read – especially politicians, economists, educators and company leaders. Highly recommended.
May 24, 2015
Though I am familiar with most of the topics, this collection of essays is very well put forward. I found so much to learn from this book because of the depth of information and it is fascinating. Lots of statistics but well written, it keeps you interested and most importantly thinking throughout.
It would be a book I'd recommend to those wishing perhaps to be better informed as the statistics are very comprehensive or as a tool to share with others who may be beginning in environmental awareness work.
It would be a book I'd recommend to those wishing perhaps to be better informed as the statistics are very comprehensive or as a tool to share with others who may be beginning in environmental awareness work.
August 19, 2017
Read this book if you love the environment.
Read this book if you are searching for connections between nature and our daily lives.
Read this book if you are into learning more about the economic value of nature.
Read this book if you are searching for connections between nature and our daily lives.
Read this book if you are into learning more about the economic value of nature.
April 18, 2020
Fantastic! I really hope this is being taught in schools.
April 2, 2018
This book is worth reading. It is a well written but toxic manifesto for a marriage between nature conservation and economy.
This book has a simple message that is argued for in almost every paragraph and chapter: nature has clear economic value and this value can be used for the benefit of human kind and the economy. More accurately it points out the value of many “ecosystem services” e.g. pollination, clean water, ocean fishing, coastal protection etc. Moreover, it shows quite clearly how our current shortsighted view of economic value threatens these ecosystem services. It furthermore gives examples of governments, institutions and companies that show awareness of this problem and their approaches for a more nature inclusive view of economic decision making.
The author is clearly very knowledgeable and well connected on the subject he discusses. Some of the examples he uses are from his own direct experience dealing with large companies and governments. The author cannot be denied good intentions, he simply advocates for an opportunistic approach to nature conservation using every argument that counts in society ruled by Homo economicus
Unfortunately, this is not a balanced book. It entirely avoids discussing risks of the opportunistic approach to save nature that it advocates. In particular it does not address:
1) The problems arising if nature has to compete in a capitalistic system. For example getting clean water from a healthy forest is a great idea, but in many places around the world where ecosystems have been already degraded technological solutions are being developed that on the long term can outcompete a healthy forest. Ecosystems services are not able to react to this way of competition.
2) All ecosystems services require space, space that with a growing population will rise in price. Thus if the ecosystem value does not rise a turnover point exists beyond which the pure value of the land will exceed its ecosystem services value.
3) All examples of ecosystem services need long time horizons, many times longer than short-term needs of economic and political systems. In good economic years over exploitation can be curbed for sure, but over historical timescales there will always be periods in which the short-term needs will merit a partial destruction of the nature.
4) The quicksand of the economic value estimates of ecosystems values. Although the author acknowledges in some part that the Billions and Trillions of ecosystems services values it mentioned are not very accurate, he does not address how this uncertainty comes about or what its consequences are. A resource that is difficult to value is difficult to sell or invest in.
This book has a simple message that is argued for in almost every paragraph and chapter: nature has clear economic value and this value can be used for the benefit of human kind and the economy. More accurately it points out the value of many “ecosystem services” e.g. pollination, clean water, ocean fishing, coastal protection etc. Moreover, it shows quite clearly how our current shortsighted view of economic value threatens these ecosystem services. It furthermore gives examples of governments, institutions and companies that show awareness of this problem and their approaches for a more nature inclusive view of economic decision making.
The author is clearly very knowledgeable and well connected on the subject he discusses. Some of the examples he uses are from his own direct experience dealing with large companies and governments. The author cannot be denied good intentions, he simply advocates for an opportunistic approach to nature conservation using every argument that counts in society ruled by Homo economicus
Unfortunately, this is not a balanced book. It entirely avoids discussing risks of the opportunistic approach to save nature that it advocates. In particular it does not address:
1) The problems arising if nature has to compete in a capitalistic system. For example getting clean water from a healthy forest is a great idea, but in many places around the world where ecosystems have been already degraded technological solutions are being developed that on the long term can outcompete a healthy forest. Ecosystems services are not able to react to this way of competition.
2) All ecosystems services require space, space that with a growing population will rise in price. Thus if the ecosystem value does not rise a turnover point exists beyond which the pure value of the land will exceed its ecosystem services value.
3) All examples of ecosystem services need long time horizons, many times longer than short-term needs of economic and political systems. In good economic years over exploitation can be curbed for sure, but over historical timescales there will always be periods in which the short-term needs will merit a partial destruction of the nature.
4) The quicksand of the economic value estimates of ecosystems values. Although the author acknowledges in some part that the Billions and Trillions of ecosystems services values it mentioned are not very accurate, he does not address how this uncertainty comes about or what its consequences are. A resource that is difficult to value is difficult to sell or invest in.
August 7, 2018
While nothing in this book is radically new, what Juniper does manage to accomplish is to put a lot of number to the realities of an unsustainable economy. Through a myriad of case studies, he is able to quantify the role that nature has played in the economic life of the world, from bee pollination to vulture waste removal to mangrove sea walls. In each of these cases, Juniper also shows how it was only once these natural systems failed that we realized their value. Through this, he also seeks to point to all the systems that, though battered, still work and to highlight the reforms needed to ensure they continue to do so. While Juniper acknowledges that some of his number may be fairly questioned, he nonetheless makes the point of highlighting how their value is non-zero and certainly more cost-efficient that replacing them with man-made systems. Similarly, by discussing all the ways in which companies and countries have started to tackle these issues, however imperfectly, he also manages to reveal to the reader the fact that this is becoming a mainstream topic of conversation and no longer relegated to “tree-huggers”; a glimmer of hope that humankind may yet save itself.
November 2, 2020
This was an impulse pick-up from a Nature themed display at the library. It’s full of different stories about Nature and its links to life and even the economy.
“It’s estimated that nature is worth as much as $100 trillion annually to the world economy…Yet we take most of that nature does for us for granted.”
I found it quite heavy…in the sense that there was a lot of science and statistics to read…it wasn’t a fun read. But I am glad that I picked it up and I definitely came away feeling like I’d learnt a lot. I enjoyed reading about the examples when humans have worked with nature rather than against it. It made me think about the amount we humans take nature for granted and the consequences of this.
Consider giving it a read if you want to know how money really does grow on trees!
“It’s estimated that nature is worth as much as $100 trillion annually to the world economy…Yet we take most of that nature does for us for granted.”
I found it quite heavy…in the sense that there was a lot of science and statistics to read…it wasn’t a fun read. But I am glad that I picked it up and I definitely came away feeling like I’d learnt a lot. I enjoyed reading about the examples when humans have worked with nature rather than against it. It made me think about the amount we humans take nature for granted and the consequences of this.
Consider giving it a read if you want to know how money really does grow on trees!
January 5, 2021
An easy read - perfect introductory material to anyone who's trying to understand environmentalists a bit better.
Tony, recognised for his work at Friends of the Earth, presents several services that nature provides for us - and their economic value.
And, of course, in each of the topics you see how humanity has eroded the work of nature - through deforestation, monoculture, pollution, etc - making a strong argument on how taking care of nature is essential for the economy itself.
While I enjoyed the book, I still find his message too soft for the reality ahead of us. A few anecdotal good cases on nature conservation or business less bad than usual are no substitutes for the massive transformation needed - most likely one of degrowth - and so less business, not just better business.
Tony, recognised for his work at Friends of the Earth, presents several services that nature provides for us - and their economic value.
And, of course, in each of the topics you see how humanity has eroded the work of nature - through deforestation, monoculture, pollution, etc - making a strong argument on how taking care of nature is essential for the economy itself.
While I enjoyed the book, I still find his message too soft for the reality ahead of us. A few anecdotal good cases on nature conservation or business less bad than usual are no substitutes for the massive transformation needed - most likely one of degrowth - and so less business, not just better business.
November 27, 2018
Even if you are sceptical about climate change this book is a must read for those who want to know about the many other ways we are destroying our planet. Unfortunately wherever you look our exploitation of Earth's resources is not sustainable. The author gives many examples including soil degradation, water pollution, deforestation and destruction of rare but important ecosystems such as mangrove swamps and coral reefs. He also gives examples of projects, some very large like Costa Rica, where enlightened and enterprising individuals and organisations have taken this seriously. Their efforts to preserve habitats and reverse previous damage has had its rewards both in an improved environment and economically.
My only concern is are their efforts are too little and too late. There are huge swathes of the Earth where nature is still being destroyed at the expense of "progress". To underline this rising CO2 emissions are in the news again.
Recommended reading then for all who care about our planet and arguably mandatory for those who do not. It might just make some change their minds.
My only concern is are their efforts are too little and too late. There are huge swathes of the Earth where nature is still being destroyed at the expense of "progress". To underline this rising CO2 emissions are in the news again.
Recommended reading then for all who care about our planet and arguably mandatory for those who do not. It might just make some change their minds.
March 1, 2020
Wow! Everything everyone should know about nature in a nutshell. Whilst heavily based on statistics, studies, and examples; this book is incredibly accessible and engaging to those who haven't before delved into the sciences, academia, or biology.
This is an education, and one that I wish everyone had from an early age. This book has certainly given me more appreciation of nature, and the ecosystem services it provides.
An insightful and educational read, and one which will stay with me always.
This is an education, and one that I wish everyone had from an early age. This book has certainly given me more appreciation of nature, and the ecosystem services it provides.
An insightful and educational read, and one which will stay with me always.
February 18, 2023
Had been meaning to read this for ages but I guess I didn't as I thought maybe I knew the arguments in it well enough already... I was glad I did though as the examples were interesting and it was very well written and researched. As a topic, the idea of putting a price on nature and the services she provides, in order to protect her from further harm, is one that continues to fascinate me; is it really the only hope we have? I still don't know the answer...
May 27, 2025
Brilliant review of the importance of respecting our surroundings. Conclusive, interesting and revealing all at once. This is definitely a book that everyone should read and understand the implications of our daily effects on Planet Earth.
The only thing I would add is that there are a lot of people worldwide without enough interest in this crucial topic yet and some of this book is probably not engaging or accessible enough for those without a keen interest in the planet or ecology
The only thing I would add is that there are a lot of people worldwide without enough interest in this crucial topic yet and some of this book is probably not engaging or accessible enough for those without a keen interest in the planet or ecology
May 26, 2021
"The shift toward a bioeconomy could lead to the fusion between human economic development and nature - biosphere and 'buyosphere' seamlessly integrated, so that what we take from nature doesn't diminish it's ability to carry on providing what we need."
A good brush up on ecosystem services and I enjoyed learning about biosphere 2 and it's comparison to our planet's closed loop system.
A good brush up on ecosystem services and I enjoyed learning about biosphere 2 and it's comparison to our planet's closed loop system.
April 7, 2024
i think this is the pinnacle of ecological books to read when wanting to understand how the environment is so completely vital with our human existence
not only does the author inform on these factors but also comments on solutions we can provide and why these have/haven’t been met
i will rave on about this book forever i think
not only does the author inform on these factors but also comments on solutions we can provide and why these have/haven’t been met
i will rave on about this book forever i think
May 13, 2020
We forget that our economy is 100% based on our ecology and that nature gives us EVERYTHING! He puts it in to dollars, not that our lives and every living creature need/have a price tag, but seems some are harder to convince.
October 12, 2017
Found hard to concentrate on reading this sometimes, and definitely took me a long time to read, but some really interesting examples - will fuel interesting conversations in the future!
July 17, 2018
A very readable, eye-opening, and interesting outline of the economic benefit of maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
October 20, 2020
Wild.
October 5, 2021
A Very Interesting Read
A great book that I couldn’t put down! Informative and balanced. Worth every penny. A really great read! Excellent! I want to read more from this author.
A great book that I couldn’t put down! Informative and balanced. Worth every penny. A really great read! Excellent! I want to read more from this author.
April 13, 2022
Very interesting information that we can ALL relate to, but a little dry to read sometimes.
March 28, 2024
A bit of a slow read, but full of knowledge and facts
April 5, 2020
What has nature ever done for us? delivers a fairly comprehensive look at the array of services nature provides to humans in a way that is readily accessible. Juniper peppers his book with examples, which are interesting but at times so numerous as to be distracting. As an articulation of the breadth of natural capital, the book certainly succeeds; and it will function equally well as a springboard into any of the many aspects touched on by Juniper, should the reader's curiosity be pricked.
Would have liked a bibliography section, as I was hoping to look more into the facts Juniper brings up as evidence - without it it's difficult to ascertain the weight of his assertions. Given the array of examples/stats Juniper marshalls in support of his theme the absence of sources is particularly glaring.
Would have liked a bibliography section, as I was hoping to look more into the facts Juniper brings up as evidence - without it it's difficult to ascertain the weight of his assertions. Given the array of examples/stats Juniper marshalls in support of his theme the absence of sources is particularly glaring.
January 6, 2021
Written by Britain's leading environmentalist and former Friends of the Earth director (amongst other titles), this provocative read spends the first two thirds carefully building up its case before launching the bombshell that modern economics are fundamentally wrong. Despite heavily criticising the underlying foundations of western civilisation, the book garnered favourable reviews among the tabloids. There's no doubt that the worrying facts will be taken seriously by those with no vested interest in big business corporations or pharmaceutical giants, but it will most likely be forgotten about in favour of domestic comforts. Unfortunately, what Juniper doesn't really address is that most people won't take an active stand against environmental damage until it affects them personally, such as floodwater lapping at the doorstep.
Starting with Biosphere 2, a huge experiment in a vacuum sealed, self-sustained ecosystem, Juniper leads the reader on a tour by case study through the essential components of nature; soil, oxygen, water, plants, pollinators, animals and so forth. Each chapter focuses on a specific natural process and details how, as a race, we are pushing it to extreme breaking point, and in many cases beyond reparation. Tony backs up his research with an array of daunting statistical facts, converting these natural functions into hard financial figures. His tactic is brutal yet effective, placing monetary value on the environment in a bid to sway the economical mindset into adopting green policies. The book makes for an illuminating yet deeply worrying read, and whilst it can be a chore to slog through at times, the subject matter is of critical importance. There's also a suitably pompous foreward by the Prince of Wales.
(Full length review also available, contact me for it)
Starting with Biosphere 2, a huge experiment in a vacuum sealed, self-sustained ecosystem, Juniper leads the reader on a tour by case study through the essential components of nature; soil, oxygen, water, plants, pollinators, animals and so forth. Each chapter focuses on a specific natural process and details how, as a race, we are pushing it to extreme breaking point, and in many cases beyond reparation. Tony backs up his research with an array of daunting statistical facts, converting these natural functions into hard financial figures. His tactic is brutal yet effective, placing monetary value on the environment in a bid to sway the economical mindset into adopting green policies. The book makes for an illuminating yet deeply worrying read, and whilst it can be a chore to slog through at times, the subject matter is of critical importance. There's also a suitably pompous foreward by the Prince of Wales.
(Full length review also available, contact me for it)
July 12, 2013
The book tells the story of the natural capital of nature and dives into numerous examples of the services nature provides us for free. For example, the purification of drinking water or the majority of antibiotics based on natural genetic diversity. Initially I expected a macro calculation of all the natural capital of the world, however, although the book provides a glimpse of this, it primarily focuses on a ten larger services, which it goes into depth with to explain the different benefits. I think this is more futile, as the other way would require a thousand page textbook, which would not have been as interesting and enjoyable to read as this one. I additionally liked the approach of Jupiter, as he does not condemn capitalism or corporations as being the evil villains once again. Instead, he soberly discuss the hidden economic value of nature, and how it is hidden in traditional financial estimates. It is overall an easy, informative read, which enlightens you of the hidden economic value of nature.
October 1, 2015
It has taken me a long time to finish this book. On first inspection, it seemed a good bag book, and perhaps it was only times that I was stuck with nothing to do that forced me to make an effort (although just looking around me was often more appealing) It took quite a bit of getting into - unappealingly dense text and a lack of images... and I don't just mean pretty ones. I also felt as though I was the converted turning up for yet another preaching, just putting a little more flesh on familiar bones.
But as each chapter unfolded, my sense of engagement grew. I came away from the book with a sense of deep satisfaction and hope because he does show how things can be changed for the better, and are being changed for the better and lays out a strong argument for making that effort to those who lack the soul to do it for any other reason. I wriggled a bit at his plaudits for the likes of Unilever and Danone (a financial interest in the latter as he advised them, declared) - but they are big companies so even small changes make more difference, if real.
But as each chapter unfolded, my sense of engagement grew. I came away from the book with a sense of deep satisfaction and hope because he does show how things can be changed for the better, and are being changed for the better and lays out a strong argument for making that effort to those who lack the soul to do it for any other reason. I wriggled a bit at his plaudits for the likes of Unilever and Danone (a financial interest in the latter as he advised them, declared) - but they are big companies so even small changes make more difference, if real.
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