The concept of natural capital is normalized in the 90’s by Robert Constanza and Herman Daly, defining that it is all surpluses, stocks or leftover of nature that give rise to a flow of valuable and useful goods and services that turns out to be sustainable or, what we can also call a long -term natural income. With the passage of time the definition of natural capital has undergone some modifications.
If you want to know what integrates natural capital and what is the definition that is currently collected, continues to read this interesting ecology article in which it is explained What is natural capital and examples In detail.
What is the natural capital of a country
Natural capital coalition defines natural capital as “the Inventory of renewable and non -renewable natural resourcesthat when combined, provide benefits to people. “
This natural capital Not only does it offer some Ecosystem services which are essential for life, among which we find pollination, climate regulation, water and air filtration, food production or erosion control, among others. In addition, the exploitation of natural capital It offers goods and services that make economic and social progress possible. Thus, natural capital can not only be seen from the point of ecology and economy, but also from the social and cultural field.
How natural capital is classified
The different Types of natural capital that exist, can be classified as renewable, non -renewable, recoverable and cultivated.
- Renewable: This type of capital refers to the ecosystems and living species that inhabit it, are renewable since both remain by themselves thanks to the processes. Some of the commercial goods that this type of capital can offer are the fibers of the wood, or essential services such as climate regulation. Here you can learn more about renewable resources: what are and examples.
- Non -renewable: Without taking into account the ecological time scale, those non -renewable resources are minerals or fossil fuels, the use of these means the exhaustion of their reserves. In this other post you can learn more about non -renewable resources: what are and examples.
- Recoverable: Within this type of capital are aquifers, fertile soils or ozone layer.
- Cultivated: They are those areas that are destined for silvícola and agricultural production.
Natural capital examples
To mention the natural capital exampleswe will divide them between goods and services:
- Estate: trees, soil,, food, medicinal plants, minerals, living organisms, among others, are those resources that the human being takes advantage of for their own use and consumption. They are goods that transform and deplete.
- Services: It refers to the ability of ecosystems to generate well -being and benefits to people and communities, including gas regulation (carbon kidnapping and oxygen production) or water regulation, among others that help improve the quality of land, water and air. These services are not transformed or exhausted.
We recommend you read this other article about ecosystem services: what are, types and examples.
How to preserve natural capital
The rhythm to which we use natural capital, has made it become finite, since many of the natural resources are being exploited at a speed greater than that of its regeneration. In addition, taking into account the number of inhabitants on Earth, natural capital will decrease over the years. Capitals as important as the Natural capital of Mexico or the natural capital of Colombia They are threatened and urgently conserved.
For preserve natural capital It must be taken into account, first of all, that it is a global struggle of which everyone must be part. Among the proposals that are given are:
- Protection of both natural and artificial ecosystems and thus also conserve biodiversity.
- Integral water management, that is, to protect, manage and conserve all water reserves, such as aquifers or basins, thus ensuring water availability. In addition, management of seas, coasts and islands, managing all its biological and fishing resources.
- Implementation of government actions that give power to the communities of forests, to promote local governance and consolidate the social fabric to advance with the sustainable management of soil and forest resources.
- Implementation of climate change adaptation strategies with the use of sustainable infrastructure.
- Promote sustainable tourism to minimize negative impacts, and at the same time that guarantees economic and social profitability.
- Improve environmental institutions, strengthen environmental laws.
- Bet on energies that come from renewable resources, such as solar or wind energy.
- Development of sustainable cities, in which the consumption and production model is respectful and sustainable with the environment.
- Create a circular economic system, in which you bet on the reuse, reduction, recycling and repair. The capitalist system, based on consumption is incompatible with the conservation of natural capital.
If you want to read more articles similar to Natural capital: What is and exampleswe recommend that you enter our environmental education category.
