Should ecosystem services be traded on markets? This question really sticks out to me because it's a quite interesting take on a solution environmental issues. Obviously, I don't think that its possible or would even get much support if ecosystem services were to be traded on markets. However, I do believe that doing so would bring some sort of accountability regarding ecosystem services and issues. But you can't put a price tag on nature, as ecosystems are significantly valuable. An issue that arises is how to put a value to natural resources such as water? A very important natural asset is water. Everyone should have access to clean water. Water is a valuable natural asset that should not be taken for granted. An intervention that I would suggest is to develop strategic municipal actin plans to protect natural assets. We can put our money towards investments and technology whose goal is to protect these natural assets. another proposed intervention is that governments, both municipal and provincial should work to make bills that would manage ecosystem services and be able to help resource managers effectively sustain natural resources. My vision for the future is for everyone across the globe to have access to natural resources such as water (clean water), and may be ecosystem services market could be incorporated if done sustainably with strict rules. We also need to make sure that groups and people do not wrongfully take advantage and or harm the ecosystems.
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We definitely should not trade ecosystem services, as you said, it should not be taken for granted just for the wealthy people. Natural assets are like the gifts from god that everyone should have equal power using them and no one should waste or harm them. I totally agree with your intervention that government should make bills to manage natural assets in a sustainable also equiatble way.
I think this is a really good point! Developing strategic municipal action plans can really help the community with this issue as we know. I think the local governments are in the best position to make these changes as they have the best knowledge regarding these systems.
I think commodification of water cannot functionally work with climate change ahead of us. If this is a resource that needs to be conserved and protected for global interests, it should not be subjected to speculation or traded.
I agree, that there would be some accountability regarding ecosystem services if water were to be traded on markets, but it would come down to who would be able to afford it. If we have a shortage of safe and drinkable water, people with lots of money are going to come in and hoard the assets (water), and because the demand has gone up, the price goes up too. Eventually, those without enough money will not be able to "trade" water on the market and will be left without access to safe, drinkable water.
There are already these 'soft' commodities being traded on the market. An example of this would be orange juice (this is true, not a joke unfortunately). Some others are sugar, coca, salts etc. We already have oil as a major commodity being traded, and speculation and profits are way more concerning to investors compared to protecting something.
I agree there should be a municipal action plan put in place to protect natural assets
I'm in the same boat , that question also stuck out to me. I guess I never really thought about trading ecosystem services before on the market. I'm curious to see if we do a larger poll (with less bias compared to a class made entirely of ENVR430 students) what the general public opinion is.