Many countries have committed to protecting nature and stop global warming. This goal is, however, unachievable if we continue to evaluate nature as we do now, concludes a new study in Nature.
In 2022, the Biodiversity Framework was adopted, and with the Paris Agreement in 2015 we agreed to slow emissions of greenhouse gases, but not much has been done to follow up these commitments.
In decisions made both by politicians and the private sector, economic considerations almost always win - and nature loses.
"We have the ability to manage the nature- and climate crisis, but we have to drastically change our mindset on how we evaluate nature and the resources it holds" says Arild Vatn, co-author of the international study and researcher at NMBU.
The nature and climate crisis is a "value crisis"
A narrow set of values are dominant in decisions that concern nature and how we govern it. This is the main cause of the nature crisis, the new study points out. Researchers from over 50 countries state that short-term economic considerations are still prioritized over natural diversity and the environment.
Today, nature is primarily valued through the market, and whether something can be traded there. Examples are oil, electricity and timber.
The result is that we release greenhouse gases unabated, and nature is continually destroyed. In Norway, this is evident, among other things, in the large encroachments on nature stemming from cabin and road development.
The researchers warn that we have to now turn this around. Other values must be given greater importance in all decisions that affect nature and the climate. Exactly what type of values are we talking about?
"These are values such as how nature can contribute to water quality and air purification. Nature also houses a number of species that must survive if nature is to continue to be the basis of life for us humans" Vatn explains.
Vatn and the other researchers also discuss nature having something they call relational value: That is, it provides experiences, identity and places to gather and relax. Nature has a wide, cultural significance.
"Such values are difficult to put a price on, and are not considered in the market" says Vatn.
In other words, this is not reflected on the price tag on commodities we buy in our shops.
New voices, frames and ways of thinking
For these reasons, the researchers conclude that market value can no longer be the main factor in assessing nature. We must change our approach if we are to save the planet.
No one is under the impression that this is easy to achieve. The study, though, has identified methods that will help us make better choices for nature. It includes creating new frameworks for decisions, and letting ordinary citizens have a say.
"Research has shown that the non-economic values of nature have a rather large significance for people, perhaps greater than one would think" says Vatn.
Thus, mobilizing the population will lead to values other than the material ones being emphasized. This has been seen, for example, in France, when communities were included when shaping new climate policies.
The study shows that there are many methods to bring about the multitude of ways the population values nature. "Citizen's panels" are one of them. These methods are, however, rarely used by politicians and other decision-makers.
In the transition that we must go through, the framework for nature governance itself must be altered, says the study.
"We must change the laws and rules that set the framework for decisions and balancing of rights. We also need to redefine terms such as 'development' and 'prosperity'" explains Vatn.
This is essential if we are to solve the challenges of loss of biodiversity and global warming.
The article in Nature has identified a step-by-step plan. The plan includes identifying and accepting values other than economic ones, ensuring that citizens are on-boarded in decisions, as well as considering institutional changes.
"The climate threat has woken us up. Now I hope we can bring about the long-term changes that can save nature" says Vatn.
Read the study on nature.com: Diverse values of nature for sustainability | Nature
Norwegian authors in the international study:
- Arild Vatn (NMBU)
- Erik Gomez-Baggethun (NMBU)
- David N. Barton (NINA)
The study was led by Professor Unai Pascual, and is based on the IPBES Value Assessment Report (2022).