nature is worth billions to the uk

[ecuworrier]

according to the bbc headline:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13616543

there is something about this report of this report that leaves me feeling a little queasy


anyone else?


GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[Jan]

I suppose that there is no getting away from its 'material worth' (profits etc) - though nature needs to be appreciated, respected and taken care of much more than how we have been doing.

A photographer friend recently shared some photos on FB taken from the aftermath of local grass fires (caused by arson). Lots of charred remains of trees which were hauntingly beautiful to look at, but heartbreaking to see all the same. Amidst the devastation of death- there were new shoots starting to appear.

[AndyHB]

there is something about this report of this report that leaves me feeling a little queasy 

Why does it make you feel queasy, ecu?  Doesn't the fact that the environment is finally being appreciated for what it provides - in much the same way as the education or health services are, actually make you want to shout for joy?  The more people realise that the environment (nature) has health benefits, educational value, tourism attractions, etc. the less likely it is to be done away with without thought.

[AndrewF]

One reason it is worrying is that, if you put a price on it in this way, as soon as a builder puts a higher 'benefit price' on his development it will be very hard to deny planning permission... and it will be very hard to prove either way (for either figure) whether the benefit is accurately priced. Also, once the govt's figure for the benefit of the open space is published, the builder will be able to massage his figures so they DO trump the govt's one. finally once a price is set it will stay there for years before it gets re-assessed, whereas all other prices will be rising - including the value of any potential benefit from a development.

[AndyHB]

One reason it is worrying is that, if you put a price on it in this way, as soon as a builder puts a higher 'benefit price' on his development it will be very hard to deny planning permission ...

Are we anticipating Barratts, Wimpeys, Persimmon or Bellways putting in a bid against ALL the open spaces in the UK at the same time, then.  After all, all this report does is put a monetary value on the totality of open spaces and other natural areas within the UK.  It won't help a specific builder or developer 'match' or 'beat' the value of a specific patch of land, any more than the existing land values list does.  In fact, I would suggest that the breadth of the report - and its value - is that it highlights the value that such areas have not just for immediate financial benefit (as you seem to be suggesting) but indirect value such as for health.  In view of the huge NHS budget, anything that reduces our reliance on this budget can easily be argued for against unnecessary/inappropriate development.

As such, I would suggest that the findings of this report will actually benefit those who are working to oppose such developments, rather than the developers themselves.

[AndrewF]

[AndyHB]

[AndrewF]

The report I heard sounded to be referring to an open space between tower blocks in London, but regardless of that, it clearly was not *only* referring to the totality (i e all the green spaces combined) if it is talking about an individual's benefit.

[ecuworrier]

I suppose that there is no getting away from its 'material worth' (profits etc) - though nature needs to be appreciated, respected and taken care of much more than how we have been doing.

A photographer friend recently shared some photos on FB taken from the aftermath of local grass fires (caused by arson). Lots of charred remains of trees which were hauntingly beautiful to look at, but heartbreaking to see all the same. Amidst the devastation of death- there were new shoots starting to appear.

i heard a discussion that was trying to rationalise that the worth of talkin mony and savings was somehow supposed to retap into folks understanding of value and that might make them more favourable and more involved somehow.... but i hear d an excellent discussion now some time ago where it was completely logically disarmed the whole t#rationality of money and nature......   


ANDY HB it means we is a sinking ship and now they is tryin to sell us some hot air.... 

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[AndrewF]

"A photographer friend recently shared some photos on FB taken from the aftermath of local grass fires (caused by arson). Lots of charred remains of trees which were hauntingly beautiful to look at, but heartbreaking to see all the same. Amidst the devastation of death- there were new shoots starting to appear."

Jan, it is often the case that nature actually needs occasional brush fires for the best results (depending on what species of flora - and indeed fauna - you want to encourage of course!). They do occur naturally and burn themselves out as naturally - it is only because of their infringing on areas of human habitation that we think we need to try to control them.