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Sydni Rucks

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What are ecosystem services that you rely on everyday? Are you willing to pay for them?

Ecosystem services are what we gain from an ecosystem, be it medicines, clean water, or any cultural and spiritual benefits we get from nature. Ecosystem services are not specific to the science realm and they are open to interpretation based on our individual views. What ecosystem services do you value?

Although ecosystem services have monetary value, determining pricing has proven challenging. For example, every time you shop for produce, you can choose to support the ecosystem services offered by organic farming. There has been a boom in the organic foods market due to the ever-growing assumption that organic farming methods contribute to ecosystem services including increased pollination (bee populations are higher due to larger production of flowers on organic farms), increased biodiversity, natural pest control, and natural soil fertility. Are these methods worth the extra cost at the grocery store? What factors do you consider when making your choice between conventionally and organically grown produce? What are ways to promote organic farming, or more generally the valuation of ecosystem services, so that more people will be inspired to pay for the benefits?

Related Talks:
Topics: Biodiversity class TEDinClass TEDinClassroom biodiversity ecosystems
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    Christina Thommes

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    Apr 27 2012: The process of producing organic produce may not be perfect, but it is a step in the right direction. Methods such as planting crops that will maximize primary productivity relative to the particular area, utilization of compost and the encouragement of insectivores are important for maximizing output of healthy food while keeping the impact on the environment to a minimum. Even if pesticides are still used, those made from natural ingredients are certainly better than synthetic ones. It's also comforting to know that the food you're consuming has not been sprayed with chemicals that are potentially harmful to yourself and the environment. That being said, produce is expensive, and organic products even more so. For someone with a small budget, such as myself, organic produce is just not an affordable dietary staple. While I completely support more natural farming techniques and I am concerned about preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services, the potential benefits do not outweigh the cost. I think this is true for many people. Often it is not so much that people just don't care about reducing environmental harm, so much as it is not financially feasible. In order for organic farming to really have a significant impact, it needs to become the normal method. Only then will it be affordable and easy to support. Regardless of whether the shift occurs, organic farming processes still need to be refined in order to reduce costs to farmers, consumers, and the environment. As is, organic farming does not do enough to promote ecosystem services to make the produce worth the cost, however it is a step in the right direction.

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