Deepening our Impact
At Earth Economics, we envision a world where communities, nature, and industry thrive together. We value nature’s benefits to support robust decision-making with data-driven analysis, helping communities effect systemic change for a more equitable and resilient world. This past year’s challenges, from a global pandemic to the increasing impacts of climate change, have only underscored the value of our work.
In 2020, we completed 20 projects across our focus areas: Resilient Communities, Working Lands, Recreation, and Accounting & Finance. The highlights below demonstrate our deepening impact - updating state-wide recreation analyses in a year in which parks and outdoor recreation became all the more valuable; supporting a shift to more sustainable rangeland management practices; and furthering our work with disaster mitigation and recovery, particularly examining the effects for lower-income and communities of color through new partnerships with community-based organizations.
2020 Project Highlights
Recreation
Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State: 2020 Update
Washington State offers hundreds of outdoor recreation activities that residents and tourists alike enjoy. Building off a previous analysis from 2015, our new Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State provides updated data on the estimated economic contribution of outdoor recreation and the non-monetary benefits (ecosystem service values) that stem from public recreation lands. This analysis estimates $26.5 billion in total recreation spending that supports 264,000 jobs (an increase of over 60,000 jobs since the 2015 analysis) and $12 billion in wages and benefits. In terms of ecosystem service values, Washington’s public lands provide up to $264 billion in environmental benefits. Learn more.
Working Lands
Accounting for Nature’s Value with USDA-NRCS Conservation Practices in the Central Great Plains
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) ensures that current and future Great Plains generations can benefit from sustainable rangeland practices. Improved management supports clean water, reduces flooding, and improves wildlife habitat. In support of this work, Earth Economics developed a non-market economic and environmental valuation framework for NRCS soil conservation investments. The framework boosts NRCS’s work with a robust network of experts to guide future research and decision-making to help people help the land. Learn more.
Resilient Communities
Ecological Economics for Environmental Justice: A Partnership with Nuestra Casa
Environmental justice is key to community resilience. In East Palo Alto, non-profit Nuestra Casa hosted an Environmental Justice Academy to develop equitable solutions to sea level rise, urban heat, and other community concerns. Earth Economics joined a cohort of subject matter experts at the Academy, presenting a suite of nature-based solutions. The workshop outlined options ranging from increased urban tree cover to expanded coastal green space and detailed the potential economic and environmental benefits. Learn more about Nuestra Casa’s Environmental Justice efforts.
The Relationship Between Disaster Recovery and Displacement
Disaster recovery is increasingly important in a world adapting to climate change impacts. In 2017, Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico’s already overburdened communities, totaling $167 billion in damages. Seeking solutions, Ayuda Legal partnered with Earth Economics to assess the economic effects of disaster recovery efforts. Current policy favors relocation, in effect a form of displacement; however, our analysis offered several alternative community responses that would promote equitable social and environmental resilience. Learn more.
2020 Financials
Now more than ever, we stand by our vision of a future where communities, nature, and industry all thrive together. By continuing to educate, provide robust natural capital analysis, and identify policy solutions that work with nature, together we can shape a better future.
Thank you for your continued support.
