| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Founder | David Batker |
| Type | 501(3)(c) |
| Focus | Ecological Economics, Tools for Decision Makers |
| Location |
|
Area served | International |
| Product | Green Job Analysis, Ecosystem Service Valuation, Restoration and Conservation Funding Mechanism Development, and other economic analysis tools |
Key people | David K. Batker, Jennifer Harrison-Cox, Maya Kocian, Rowan Schmidt |
Employees | 6 |
Volunteers | 20 |
| Website | http://www.eartheconomics.org |
Earth Economics is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, United States. The organization provides robust, science-based, ecologically-sound, economic analysis, policy and tools to governments, agencies, non governmental organizations, and grassroots organizations. This information is intended to positively transform international, national and regional economic systems and business accounting practices.
Mission Statement
editEarth Economics applies new economic tools and principles to meet the challenges of the 21st century: achieving the need for just and equitable communities, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable economies.
History
editIn 1998 Earth Economics was formed as a side project of the Tides Center in San Francisco. Before 2006, the group was known as the “Asia Pacific Environmental Exchange”. However, in 2006, the organization filed for tax exempt status and became a free-standing non-profit organization, simultaneously changing its name to “Earth Economics”. Since its inception, the organization has been conducting studies and releasing reports to various clients that use economic analysis to help justify ecological restoration projects and other projects that promote sustainability.
The Basel Action Network (BAN) was formed as a project of Earth Economics in 2006. In 2009, BAN became a separate non-profit organization.
Staff and Administration
editThe executive director of Earth Economics is David K. Batker, a renowned ecological economist. Batker completed his graduate training in economics under Herman Daly, one of the world's foremost ecological economists. Dave has taught in the Training Department of the World Bank, and has worked for Greenpeace International, specializing in trade and international finance. He also worked for two years with the Rural Reconstruction Movement, a Philippine non-profit group dedicated to ecologically sound community-based development.
Earth Economics has a small staff that includes economists, project and business management and research assistants that collaborate with experts in economics, ecology, hydrology, policy and systems modeling.
Earth Economics collaborates with the Portland State University, the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, Louisiana State University, Pacific Lutheran University and others and provides work study and internship opportunities to undergraduates and grants to graduate and PhD students.
The Board of Directors includes architects, professors, and members of management teams of corporations.
Clients
editEarth Economics contracts with a variety of groups, including government and jurisdictional agencies such as Counties, flood districts and the Army Corps of Engineers, organizations, foundations, and corporations. Depending on the client, Earth Economics caters their reports towards policy change, decision making, funding mechanisms, public discourse, litigation, or other emphasis.
Program of Work
editEcosystem Service Valuations:
Working with public, private and NGO agencies, Earth Economics’ Ecosystem Service Valuation (ESV) studies quantify the value of the goods and services provided by regional ecosystems. This valuation justifies the shift of investment toward environmental preservation and/or restoration.
Economic Environmental Impact Statements:
Working with planners, policy makers and private consulting firms, Earth Economics provides justification for specific projects and scenarios based on environmental economic analysis.
Jobs Analysis:
Working with local and regional economists, agencies, businesses and jurisdictions, Earth Economics analyzes the jobs that will be created, maintained, or lost by doing or not doing a project.
Accounting and Management Strategies:
Working with public utilities, businesses, large land owners and managers, Earth Economics identifies, and helps clients adopt, new management approaches that value ecosystem services in addition to built infrastructure and raw materials.
Scenario Mapping and Modeling:
Working with leading systems modelers, ecologists and hydrologists, Earth Economics analyzes ecosystem services such as freshwater provisioning, carbon sequestration, flood protection, biodiversity and hurricane protection. This information is used to provide current and future maps showing ecosystem services provisioning, beneficiaries and damage under different planning scenarios.
Funding Mechanisms for Conservation and Restoration:
Working with local and state jurisdictions, Earth Economics applies innovative approaches to fund critical natural infrastructure and conservation work.
Educational Outreach:
Working with philanthropic organizations, environmental and policy NGOs, schools and public agencies, Earth Economics conducts workshops, lectures and media events to increase awareness about ecological economics.
Conversion of Built Capital to Sustainable Function:
Working with the electronic recycling industry, paper mills and other industries, Earth Economics helps catalyze the shift from unsustainable to sustainable technology and industrial processes.
Further Valuation Studies:
Working with academics from around the world, Earth Economics is continually updating their Benefit Value Transfer tool and ESV Study Database to provide up-to-date appraisals.
Accomplishments
editEarth Economics jobs study was “a critical component” to securing federal funding for Walla Walla Community College expansion
Publications
editAll of Earth Economics' publications can be found on their website, at http://eartheconomics.org/Page12.aspx.
2010:
Valuing the Puget Sound: Revealing our Best Investments
Towards Implementing the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan
Water, Ecosystem Services and Opportunity for Seattle Public Utilities
Flood Protection and Ecosystem Services in the Chehalis River Basin
Gaining Ground: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi Delta
Nature's Value in Qinghai Province, China
WRIA 9 Policy Briefs
A New View of our Economy: Nature's Value in the Snoqualmie Watershed
2009:
“What's the Economy for Anyway?” (film)
The Economic Benefits of the Walla Walla Community College Water and Environmental Center Expansion
The Natural Economy of the Nisqually Watershed
2008:
An Ecological Economics Approach to Understanding Oregon's Coastal Economy and Environment
2007:
ITT-Yasuní Initiative Conference
An Ecological Economic Assessment of King County's Flood Hazard Management Plan
2006:
Assessing the Non-Market Values of Ecosystem Services Provided by Coastal and Marine Systems
2005:
Ecosystem Services Enhanced by Salmon Habitat Conservation in the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed
Supplemental Ecological Services Study: Tolt River Watershed Asset Management Plan
2004:
Smart Development: An Analysis of 10 Common Myths About Development
Untold Value: Nature's Services in Washington State
A Comparative Analysis of the Inter-American Development Bank's Environmental and Safeguard Compliance Policy – Advance Profile
Failing Grades: A Report Card on the Inter-American Development Bank's Environmental and Safeguard Compliance Policy – Advanced Profile
2003:
2002:
The Carbon River Valley Conservation Project: A Lifeline to Mount Rainier National Park
2001:
The Spot Prawn Fishery: A Status Report
2000:
1999:
When Trade is Toxic: The WTO Threat to Public and Planetary Health
1998: