Asks Quote by Paul Hawken
“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
Source Book: The Ecology of Commerce, Paul Hawken, 1993
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.
