Blue Planet Prize Story

Pavan Sukhdev started his career as a banker and came to realize that while the economic value of nature was great, it was not recognized properly because natural resources were thought to be free of charge. This, he felt, resulted in the significant destruction of nature. He decided to change the existing economic system, and strived to implement environmental accounting, a system that would include the value of nature in the market economy.

He started the Green Accounting for Indian States Project (GAISP), a project implementing environmental accounting in each province of his home country India. He also took the initiative in the world-wide project "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) " to spread awareness about the importance of recognizing the value of nature and the effectiveness of converting the value of nature into economic value for visualization.

His book, "Corporation 2020, " also shows the importance of corporations changing their awareness to prevent worsening of the global environment. The Natural Capital Protocol, a project promoting the implementation of environmental accounting into corporate management, has started.

Pavan Sukhdev hopes that everyone recognizes the importance of realizing a sustainable society in which nature and humans can coexist and grow together.

Examining economic activities and nature in your town

1. Check the nature conservation activities in your town

Students should check the nature conservation activities conducted in their town and identify nature that has already been destroyed.
This does not need to be very close to where they live. Having students look in a 50km radius will make it easier for them to gather information.

2. Sort out the areas where nature is conserved and the reasons for the conservation.

Students should consider not only the direct reasons, but also the background.
For example, in the case that filling in tideland interfered with the tideland's ability to purify seawater and accelerated water contamination, you need to consider the reason for filling in the tideland. Gather background information about the reason the tideland was filled in to build plants to increase the profit of the town.

*From this stage, group work is more effective.
If there are several nature conservation activities, make groups with 5 to 6 students for each activity. It is also possible to divide students into two groups, one group focusing on economic growth (nature destruction) and the other focusing on nature conservation, to deepen each theme.

3. Examine the effect that the destruction of nature has on the human population

Filling in the tideland interfered with the tideland's ability to purify seawater.

[Example]

Filling in the tideland interfered with the tideland's ability to purify seawater.

The fish catch decreased.

Fishermen could not make a living, and the fishery deteriorated.

We could not purchase fresh fish at stores.

The number of tourists and tax income from tourism have decreased.

4. Students discuss what they should do in the long term.

Considering the merits of economic activities and the demerits of destroying nature, students discuss what they need to do in the long term.

If their discussion is not progressing smoothly, make use of the following hints.

· The factories and other industries we have attracted to town have been utilizing natural resources. Are we going to harm ourselves if we allow these natural resources to be lost?

· Will a focus on short-term economic growth end up producing a loss for us when we consider long-term loss and gain regarding natural resources and economic activities?

5. Presentations

Each group summarizes and presents the content of their discussions.

Important points!

Because it is difficult to calculate the specific value of ecosystems, there is no need for teachers to require students to do so.
Teachers should set their priority on helping students realize the importance of keeping a good balance between economy and nature from a long-term perspective.
Gathering information from a wide range of people and perspectives is necessary. It is also a good opportunity for students to seek different perspectives to learn about the diversity of society.

Some groups may reach the conclusion that it is the best to promote economic growth and solve problems with money. Teachers should not reject this conclusion, but have students trace back the process of the discussion.
They may find a turning point in the discussion. Teachers provide hints to help students reach the proper conclusions and have them discuss further.