Allison Burbach (11/15): Calculating the Value of Natural Resources

For my BIOL 518 (Biological Conservation Theory and Practice) class this semester, we often have tackled major questions that relate to the monetary value of natural resources. A 2018 estimate valued the earth’s natural resources at 24 trillion USD. I am not sure what number I was expecting, but it seems like no estimate can even come close to capturing the value of natural resources. While I concede it is theoretically possible to sum the value of physical resources (timber, energy, minerals, etc.), it is impossible to put a number to the value of ecosystem services such as clean air and water, fertile soil, pollination, and flood control. Where would you even begin? Plus, there are some ecosystem services that have no benefit to humans directly, but major impacts indirectly because nature is vastly interconnected. I personally view the attempt to value any resource or service a casualty of our deeply capitalistic, destructive society. No good can come from further attempts to exploit natural resources by reminding people of the immense worth of nature.

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