Earth Economics Information
Earth Economics is a 501(c)(3) non-profit think tank headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, United States. The organization provides robust, science-based, ecologically-sound, economic analysis, policy and tools to governments, agencies, non governmental organizations (NGOs), and grassroots organizations. This information is intended to positively transform international, national and regional economic systems and business accounting practices.
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Mission statement
Earth Economics applies new economic tools and principles to meet the challenges of the 21st century: achieving the need for just and equitable communities, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable economies.
History
Earth Economics has over twelve years of proven environmental campaign success in promoting progressive, science-based economics to change local and international policy on ecosystem health, fisheries, forests, mining, energy, multilateral institutions, international finance, and toxics. The organization was initially founded as a project of the Tides Center in 1998 by five dynamic activists from various fields. Its original name was Asia-Pacific Environmental Exchange (APEX). Over the ensuing years, Earth Economics evolved into a successful, autonomous organization and received IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt, public charity status in March of 2006. Earth Economics’ staff has many cumulative years of experience working on environmental issues giving tremendous competence to work effectively with NGOs, private businesses and local, state and federal jurisdictions. In 2009, one of the organization’s projects, The Basel Action Network (aka BAN) which focuses on toxics in the environment, spun-off to form an independent 501c(3) non-profit.
Clients
Earth Economics contracts and partners with a variety of groups, including federal, state, county and city governments; other jurisdictions such as flood districts; non-profit organizations; foundations; and business. Earth Economics provides analysis and produces reports for policy change, decision making, funding mechanisms, public discourse, litigation, or other emphasis, with the ultimate goal of shifting investment towards conservation, restoration and sustainability of natural systems. Partners include the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, Louisiana State University, Conservation International and others.
Program of Work
Ecosystem Service Valuations: Working with public, private and NGO agencies, Earth Economics’ Ecosystem Service Valuation (ESV) studies quantify the value of the goods and services provided by regional ecosystems. This valuation justifies the shift of investment toward environmental preservation and/or restoration.
Economic Environmental Impact Statements: Working with planners, policy makers and private consulting firms, Earth Economics provides justification for specific projects and scenarios based on environmental economic analysis.
Green Jobs Analysis: Working with local and regional economists, agencies, businesses and jurisdictions, Earth Economics analyzes the jobs that will be created, maintained, or lost by doing or not doing a project.
Accounting and Management Strategies: Working with public utilities, businesses, large land owners and managers, Earth Economics identifies, and helps clients adopt, new management approaches that value ecosystem services in addition to built infrastructure and raw materials.
Scenario Mapping and Modeling: Working with leading systems modelers, ecologists and hydrologists, Earth Economics analyzes ecosystem services such as freshwater provisioning, carbon sequestration, flood protection, biodiversity and hurricane protection. This information is used to provide current and future maps showing ecosystem services provisioning, beneficiaries and damage under different planning scenarios.
Funding Mechanisms for Conservation and Restoration: Working with local and state jurisdictions, Earth Economics applies innovative approaches to fund critical natural infrastructure and conservation work.
Educational Outreach: Working with philanthropic organizations, environmental and policy NGOs, schools and public agencies, Earth Economics conducts workshops, lectures and media events to increase awareness about ecological economics.
Conversion of Built Capital to Sustainable Function: Working with the electronic recycling industry, paper mills and other industries, Earth Economics helps catalyze the shift from unsustainable to sustainable technology and industrial processes.
Further Valuation Studies: Working with academics from around the world, Earth Economics is continually updating their Benefit Value Transfer tool and ESV Study Database to provide up-to-date appraisals.
Publications
All publications can be viewed free of charge on the Earth Economics publications page
2010: Valuing the Puget Sound: Revealing our Best Investments Towards Implementing the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan Water, Ecosystem Services and Opportunity for Seattle Public Utilities Flood Protection and Ecosystem Services in the Chehalis River Basin Gaining Ground: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi Delta Nature's Value in Qinghai Province, China WRIA 9 Policy Briefs A New View of our Economy: Nature's Value in the Snoqualmie Watershed
2009: “What's the Economy for Anyway?” (film) The Economic Benefits of the Walla Walla Community College Water and Environmental Center Expansion The Natural Economy of the Nisqually Watershed WRIA 9 Funding Mechanisms Report: Generating Payments for Ecosystem Services
2008: An Ecological Economics Approach to Understanding Oregon's Coastal Economy and Environment
2007: ITT-Yasuní Initiative Conference An Ecological Economic Assessment of King County's Flood Hazard Management Plan
2006: Assessing the Non-Market Values of Ecosystem Services Provided by Coastal and Marine Systems
2005: Ecosystem Services Enhanced by Salmon Habitat Conservation in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed Supplemental Ecological Services Study: Tolt River Watershed Asset Management Plan
2004: Smart Development: An Analysis of 10 Common Myths About Development Untold Value: Nature's Services in Washington State A Comparative Analysis of the Inter-American Development Bank's Environmental and Safeguard Compliance Policy – Advance Profile Failing Grades: A Report Card on the Inter-American Development Bank's Environmental and Safeguard Compliance Policy – Advanced Profile
2002: The Carbon River Valley Conservation Project: A Lifeline to Mount Rainier National Park
2001: The Spot Prawn Fishery: A Status Report
1999: When Trade is Toxic: The WTO Threat to Public and Planetary Health
See also
- Ecological Economics
- Environmental Ethics
- Deep Ecology
- Ecological values of mangrove
- Environmental economics
- Environmental ethics
- Green accounting
- Natural capital
- Natural resource economics
- Sustainability
- Steady state economics
Categories: Environmental economics | Industrial ecology | Natural resources | Resource economics | Environmental social science | Energy economics | History of economic thought, methodology, and heterodox approaches
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