Our impact - an economic contributor

Ecoconnections aims to be apolitical with a focus on bringing an evidence base about life to decision making.  Being apolitical might be hard.  The fact of species extinctions means that forces are at play that cause extinctions.  These forces are often economic interests. Ecoconnections however aims to be an economic contributor.

As land owners people might see Ecoconnections as a threat.  Appreciating the existence of other species might bring limitations to the flexibility owners have in deciding what to do with their land.  A big picture economic view might see land values increase when we appreciate the values other species place on the land.  These values are often not currently well accounted for.  Ecoconnections would aim to build an understanding of these values.  Land will be recognized as more valuable.  In this way Ecoconnections can be seen as a friend of the landowner.

Appreciating biology could be a material source of global growth.  Life is precious and rare.  The achievements of engineering are a triumph of human ingenuity and economic growth.  We see a world where these achievements are matched by valuing the detail of life.  Bringing a financial value to this appreciation could be a source of global growth.  People spend most of their money on housing, food and transport.  Growth in these areas will mean bigger houses, more expensive food and more travel.  It is arguable that ‘good lives’ involve moving these things in the opposite direction.  Ecoconnections is an opportunity to spend money on the idea that we might ‘tread lightly’ in our lives.  Ecoconnections can be a force to re-imagine growth.

This imagination comes from the rarity of the opportunity to be alive on our planet.  Ecoconnections may reveal economic potential to be gained from other species.  This could be in the form of medicines, designs, foods, fibre or other use.  While these values are a possible impact they are not the principal focus.  Ecoconnections aims to appreciate the rare and precious products of 5 billion years of competitive selection, for their own sake.

In these ways Ecoconnections aims to be a force for net economic growth and ‘good’. This impact can be compatible with the full spectrum of political views.

Help the world grow in wealth and understanding. Get ecoconnected