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LAST EARTHCAST
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The Economic Value of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
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Broadcast on Thursday 7th April 2011
Do you know how much agricultural pollination would cost us if insects weren’t here to do it for us?
A: Insect pollinators contribute US$ 190 billion/year to global agricultural output.
This is an enormous cost, yet currently our economics system takes ecosystem services for granted and does not put a value on them. These services include water and air quality regulation, nutrient cycling and decomposition, plant pollination and flood control. As a result, we – governments, businesses, and society as a whole – tend to neglect, waste and abuse the very basis on which our livelihoods and prosperity ultimately depend.
In this Earthcast the editors of the first two volumes of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, will explore the economic value of nature, as well as the advantages and ethics of putting a price on our natural world. Patrick ten Brink and Pushpam Kumar will introduce the concept of ecosystem valuation and the challenges facing policy makers, as well as the range of innovative solutions possible. They will show that by making costs of ecosystem destruction visible - ‘putting nature on the balance sheets’ – we can fully comprehend the value of the natural world around us.
Who will find this useful? Researchers, policy-makers and professionals concerned with applied economics and business, biodiversity and nature conservation.
- Understand the development of the concept of ecosystem services, and the TEEB framework used for their valuation
- Discover how valuation of ecosystem services and biodiversity can help people rethink their relation to the natural environment
- Explore the mechanisms and instruments by which incentives can be developed to protect biodiversity
- Learn about policies in use around the world and a wide range of innovative solutions
TEEB is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UENP) and supported by the European Commission, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), recently joined by Norway's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands' Ministry of Housing (VROM), the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and also the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
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Each month Earthscan will offer a free one-hour web cast on a different topic giving viewers the opportunity to learn from, and interact with, leading authorities from a range of different fields.
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Scenario Planning & Financial Instability
- Join experts discussing the latest tools for coping with complexity and uncertainty
- Learn how to use scenario planning to cope with an increasingly turbulent world
- Discover new methods for tackling the risk and uncertainty of financial markets
Wednesday 9th February 2011
17:00 (UK time - GMT), 12:00 (EST), 9:00 (PST)
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Join the authors of Business Planning for Turbulent Times for an event that focuses on how to deal with increasingly turbulence in the world, and with the complexity and uncertainty that come with it.
Usingmodern scenario techniques to help address these conditions, Rafael Ramiez and John Selsky will demonstrate some of the methods used to tackle risk, with a particular focus on the uncertainty of financial markets and the potential impacts on businesses of all kinds.
 Rafael Ramirez is fellow in Strategy and Director of the Oxford Scenarios Programme at the Said Business School and James Martin Senior Research Fellow in the Oxford Martin School, both at the University of Oxford.
He chaired the World Economic Forum's 'Global Agenda Council on Strategic Foresight' from 2008-2010.
John Selsky is Associate Professor of Management, College of Business, University of South Florida Polytechnic.
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Sustainability Education & Training
Universities are grappling with sustainability policies and greening of their campuses, and educators face the challenge of transforming curricula and teaching and learning practices. In addition to the above points, Stephen Sterling, Cheryl Desha and Paul Murray will consider:
• What is the response of higher education to EfS and what should it be?
• Why is the higher education sector facing a time lag dilemma in curriculum renewal for EfS?
• How can the sector catch up with the rest of society's transition to SD?
• Where are the best ideas and practices, and what issues remain?
• The case for 'personalising' education for sustainability
• How to promote personal engagement
 Cheryl Desha is a member of The Natural Edge Project, a sustainability think-tank which operates as a collaborative partnership for research, education, and policy development on innovation for sustainable development.
She is co-author of the book Engineering Education and Sustainable Development: Guide to Rapid Curriculum Renewal in Higher Education (Earthscan: 2011)
 Stephen Sterling is Professor of Sustainability Education, Head of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Centre for Sustainable Futures University of Plymouth, United Kingdom.
He is an editor of the book Sustainability Education: Perspectives and Practice across Higher Education (Earthscan: 2010)
 Paul Murray is Associate Professor in Sustainable Construction and Sustainability at the University of Plymouth, England. He devised the UK's first undergraduate degrees in Environmental Building and was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2004 by the HEA for his outstanding contribution to teaching excellence.
He is author of The Sustainable Self: A Personalised Approach to Sustainability Education (Earthscan 2011)
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Sustainable Refurbishment and Solar Heating for the Home
- Discover the most effective retro-fit techniques for cutting electricity and heating bills
- Learn about different solar heating systems and how to install them
- Suitable for enthusiastic DIYers and experienced installers alike
12th January 2011
17:00 (UK time - GMT), 12:00 (EST), 9:00 (PST)
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In this event the authors of Sustainable Home Refurbishment and Solar Domestic Water Heating offer guidance to anyone wanting to improve the energy efficiency of their home and to professionals looking for guidance on the best techniques and materials.
David Thorpe and Chris Laughton examine the benefits of engaging in this burgeoning industry and the technologies that can help people save money and reduce CO2 emissions.
 David Thorpe has been the News Editor of Energy and Environmental Management magazine for ten years and writes a popular blog - the Low Carbon Kid [http://lowcarbonkid.blogspot.com].
His new book, Solar Technology is due out from Earthscan in May.
 Chris Laughton is Managing Director of The Solar Design Company.
He is an experienced heating engineer, author and lecturer, and a regular columnist in magazines, journals and on-line media.
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Reconnecting Nature and Culture
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Tuesday 23rd November 2010
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This Earthcast was presented by the authors of Biocultural Diversity Conservation and Sacred Natural Sites and explored the important relationship people have with nature and how vital it is for the future of our natural world.
• Understand the concept of biocultural diversity
• Learn how to integrate cultural and spiritual values into conservation, tourism and heritage management practices
• Discover how embracing the values of local people can dramatically increase the success of conservation and sustainability efforts, for the benefit of all
 Luisa Maffi is co-author of Biocultural Diversity Conservation, she is a linguist, anthropologist, and one of the originators of the field of biocultural diversity. She is co-founder and Director of the international NGO Terralingua. She is based in British Columbia, Canada. |
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 Robert Wild is co-editor of Sacred Natural Sites. An ecologist and social scientist with 25 years practical experience of working with communities at protected areas in East Africa, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Europe. He is chair of the IUCN's Specialist Group on Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas, and is based in Scotland. |
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Climate Change and Business Success
- How can an environmental strategy benefit your business?
- What are the costs and challenges of GHG emission compliance?
- Can there be truly green business models?
Broadcast on 23rd January 2010,
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Adapting businesses to the demands of climate change mitigation
is a huge challenge, but one that can not only improve levels of environmental impact, but also enhance brands, motivate employees, increase operational efficiencies, and save money.
In this Earthcast the authors of The Three Secrets of Green Business and Doing Business in a New Climate focus on the challenges and opportunities that climate change poses for businesses of all sizes.
It examines the challenges posed by measuring, reducing, and offsetting emissions and the innovative solutions to common challenges currently being employed by businesses across the world. Practical tips cover everything from the easy actions that will cut waste of materials, water and energy and save you money, to the big changes in processes, products and business models.
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After Copenhagen - the Tactics and the Treaty
- What is the nature of the agreement that emerged
from COP-15?
- What were the negotiating tactics behind it?
- Can an ambitious and binding treaty still be agreed?
Broadcast on 27th January 2010,
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In the wake of the COP-15 summit in Copenhagen, the first Earthcast of 2010 examined the treaty that emerged, the negotiating tactics behind it, and what the next steps are likely to be.
Experts Michael Grubb, David Satterthwaite and Richard Smith dissected the agreement and asked whether future negotiations could establish a binding treaty that set ambitious limits for the large emitters while supporting developing nations financially and technologically.
Michael Grubb is editor-in-chief of the Earthscan journal Climate Policy, Chair of Climate Strategies and a Professor at the University of Cambridge.
David Satterthwaite has written or edited nine Earthscan books, including Adapting Cities to Climate Change and The Earthscan Reader in Sustainable Cities.
Richard Smith is the author of the Earthscan book Negotiating Environment and Science, published under the new Resources for the Future (RFF) Press imprint.
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An Economy Fit for a Low Carbon World – The Pre-COP Earthcast
- Can economies be redesigned for a low-carbon future?
- What opportunities does the financial crisis present?
Broadcast on 25th November 2009
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READ TIM JACKSON'S LATEST BLOG POSTING
 Tim Jackson developed the first Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare for the UK (a ‘green GDP’) in the 1990s, and is now one of the most influential advocates of worldwide economic reform.
This special pre-Copenhagen Earthcast examined the challenges that lie ahead if current economic systems are to support the development of a low carbon future.
Tim Jackson was joined by Robert Costanza, contributor to the Worldwatch Institute's The State of the World 2010 and ecological economist Peter Victor for a debate that explored ways of reorganising economies so that emissions reductions and well-being are prioritised.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Read Chapter 1 of Prosperity Without Growth
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