Sustainability scientist: Why don't we measure nature's capital?


December 17, 2012

Sustainability scientist and professor Ann Kinzig says, while we do measure the bounty that nature provides, we fail to measure the intrinsic wealth that’s found in natural goods. That’s the reason why our inclusive wealth is not growing, and one of the reasons why we haven’t achieved sustainability.

“On our national accounting and indices, we track some forms of wealth but not others,” Kinzig, a professor in the School of Sustainability and School of Life Sciences, says. “And when we don’t track something, we are sending the signal that it is not important – that we don’t need to take care of it.” profile image of Ann Kinzig, in front of canyon Download Full Image

Kinzig discussed natural capital and the wealth of nature at the Arizona Science Center on Oct. 26. As part of Arizona State University’s partnership with the Arizona Science Center, Kinzig was one of three prominent university researchers giving “lightning lectures,” or five minute talks about everything ranging from technology, to the environment, to health.

Kinzig asserts that the two main concepts in her talk, “The Nature of Wealth and the Wealth of Nature,” are vital to achieving sustainability. But if we fail to measure intrinsic natural capital, what do we track?

“We track the wealth in manufactured goods, but not in the creatures that may have inspired those goods,” she says in the lecture. “We track the wealth in our productive lands, but not in our national parks. We track the wealth in a tree when we cut it down to use it, but not if we leave it standing.”

These other sources of natural capital, or what Kinzig calls, “wealth of nature,” are the missing piece to expanding our overall wealth. Kinzig compares per capita assets in produced, human, and natural capital. Produced (or manufactured) capital grows the most each year, while human capital is slowly rising. But we are actually losing natural capital, causing our annual inclusive wealth to not grow as quickly as it could be.

“But it doesn’t have to be this way,” Kinzig says. “We can learn to understand the true nature of wealth. We can learn to track the wealth in nature, and in doing so, put ourselves on a more sustainable pathway.”

Kinzig says we can find solutions to our challenges by looking toward nature. For example, the leafcutter ants that can carry up to ten times their own weight. Or bucking rams that can butt their heads together without damaging their brains. The wealth of nature can lead to better conservation, improved human and environmental health, and successful economies.

Kinzig says, “Never stop wondering how we can make the world a better place, and never stop believing that we can.”

The School of Life Sciences is an academic unit of ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Watch Kinzig's lightning lecture

On the 6th day of giving, offer help to homeless youth


December 18, 2012

As Arizona State University gears up to win the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, Dec. 29, in San Francisco, the university is taking the opportunity to offer suggestions for 12 Days of Giving in order to make a big difference this season and celebrate the university’s outreach role in the community.

Day 6
Partner with an incredible kid to help homeless youth. Download Full Image

Zach Bonner was just 7 years old when he decided to collect water and supplies for victims of Hurricane Charley in 2004 with his own little red wagon.

A year later, he formed the Little Red Wagon nonprofit organization to help homeless and underprivileged kids at the age of 8. When he was 12, Bonner walked the length of the country to raise awareness about the plight of homeless youth.

Arizona State University joined Bonner’s effort to help homeless children through a backpack drive in October that benefitted Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development – an organization that provides services for underprivileged youth and kids who are on the streets. Over several days, the ASU community donated backpacks with the usual necessities, such as a small journal and pen, healthy snack, deodorant and socks.

“Phoenix was without a doubt one of the highlights of my 2010 walk to raise awareness of homeless youth. To have the opportunity to partner with ASU and Tumbleweed – one of my favorite organizations in the country – is awesome,” Bonner said.

ASU’s Changemaker Central partnered with the effort through its mission to develop and nurture students by providing the opportunities and resources to inspire student-driven social change.

“Students involved with Changemaker Central view problems as opportunities," said Allison Oaks, student leader at Changemaker Central. "Homelessness persists and is a prevalent issue within our local community. We see a bit of ourselves in homeless youth, which makes students that much more motivated and eager to become active in contributing to Zach's cause and to join his efforts in eliminating poverty and homelessness.

"It's humbling for students to be able to give back and provide more opportunities for those less fortunate."

Julie Newberg , julie.newberg@asu.edu
Media Relations

Natasha Karaczan, natasha.karaczan@asu.edu
480-965-6991
Media Relations

 

Britt Lewis

Communications Specialist, ASU Library