While there may be no "right" way to value a forest or a…
“While there may be no "right" way to value a forest or a river, there is a wrong way, which is to give it no value at all. How do we decide the value of a 700-year-old tree? We need only to ask how much it would cost to make a new one, or a new river, or even a new atmosphere.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Valuing nature requires assigning worth, not ignoring it; we must consider replacement costs and ecosystem services.
In simple terms: Nature must be valued, not ignored.
Key Takeaway
Assign economic value to natural assets.
Themes
environment
economics
ethics
conservation
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
ethical
policy
When to use this quote
- policy making
- corporate responsibility
- environmental impact assessments
Key Concepts
ecosystem services
replacement cost
sustainability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we quantify intangible ecosystem benefits?
- What policies ensure nature’s value is respected?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring value can lead to exploitation and loss of ecosystems.