Why Ecosystems Services Matter

In today's modern world, we are all about the future. Our idea of the future is often depicted as a concrete, metal, completely man-made society. To think that we can survive without nature is a terrible, apocalyptic mistake. Nature protects us from itself with things called ecosystem services. These are the things that keep air clean and protect us from hurricanes. Think of a natural disaster and you will find something in nature that contradicts and stops it from total destruction.

Peter Kareiva, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy, talks about the ecosystem services in February of 2009. He defines them as "... the products or functions that nature provides which are of great value for people." (American Scientist, "Why Ecosystem Services Matter.") He and his colleagues decided to attempt to put a cost on these services. Putting a one on is near impossible, but as Kareiva says, "putting zero value on nature is a much bigger mistake.

I always knew that nature protects us; I just never thought that they would put a name on it. I'm going to take away from this article the importance of our actions on nature. It is such a finite line for us to walk with our race progressing forwards; but as we do that, we risk losing what keeps us alive.