Bulldozing biodiversity: The economics of offsets and trading-in Nature

摘要: Abstract Many conservationists have become enamoured with mainstream economic concepts and approaches, described as pragmatic replacements for appeals to ethics direct regulation. Trading biodiversity using offsets is rapidly becoming part of the resulting push market governance that promoted a more efficient means Nature conservation. In critically evaluating this position I argue offsets, along ecosystem valuation, use logic legitimise, rather than prevent, ongoing habitat destruction. Biodiversity provide commodifying exchange. They operationalise trade-offs are in best interests developers make false claims adding productive new activity. Contrary argument frees conservation from ethics, expose ethical premises required economists justify public policy support offsets. Finally, various issues offset design raised placed context political struggle over meaning Nature. The overall message that, if continue down path conceptualising world economics they will be forced one compromise another, ultimately losing their ability conserve or protect anything. also abandoning rich meaningful human relationships been raison d'etre.