The Frightened Face of Nature

Q8: What Would It Take for Us to Truly ‘Value’ Nature?

What Would It Take for Us to Truly ‘Value’ Nature?

Not ‘admire’ or ‘like’ – but truly value.

This tree, this hill, the sky, the sea. Can we see their value the way a CEO sees value on a balance sheet? When’s the last time you heard someone say, “You know what… nature is valuable”?

We’d all claim we value the natural world. But do our actions match our words?

We snap photos of sunsets. We enjoy the shade of a tree. Sometimes, we escape to the countryside to reset our minds. To switch off. Nature nurtures us in countless ways. Yet when decisions arise – about how we live, what we consume, and the policies we support – nature loses to convenience and profits.

Why is that?

Maybe it’s because nature’s worth isn’t easily measured. It’s (of course) priceless, but priceless things don’t fit neatly onto spreadsheets. The world is driven by what can be counted. Nature struggles to compete in such a world. This might be why it shouts ferociously at us from time to time.

Imagine losing sunsets forever. What would you pay to see one last burst of fiery orange on the horizon? It’s hard to put a price on something so fundamental to our existence, yet we treat it like it’s replaceable.

Consider a forest. To an economist, it might represent timber to be sold or land to be developed. But to an ecologist, it’s a carbon sink, a home for countless species, and a key player in the water cycle. To the person walking beneath its canopy, it’s a source of peace and perspective. All of these are true. But only the timber has a clear market price.

Maybe the problem isn’t just about money. Maybe it’s about connection. Nature can feel distant in a world dominated by screens and schedules. But we belong to it. Every breath, every bite, every sip – it all comes from nature’s generosity.

What would it take to make a world where nature’s worth isn’t debated but celebrated? A world where valuing nature means valuing life itself?

Take a moment to reflect.

What small change can you make today?

What will you do now that you know?

Simon

#Environment #Sustainability #ClimateChange #Conservation #Nature #NaturalCapital #Ecosystems #HumanConnectionToNature #ValuingNature #Biodiversity #Reflection #Inspiration #Hope #CallToAction #24QuestionsToSaveTheWorld #TheFrightenedFaceOfNature #FFONBlog #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #Mindfulness #GreenLiving #EthicalChoices #FutureGenerations

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Simon H King FLS

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2 responses to “Q8: What Would It Take for Us to Truly ‘Value’ Nature?”

  1. Q8: What Would It Take for Us to Truly ‘Value’ Nature?Simon. Our experience in Africa, where life is often hard, is that people are only likely to value Nature if their livelihood and that of their family depends upon it. One example: fishermen on Lake Victoria who know that if fish stocks decline, their communities will suffer. This is already happening following the introduction of the  Nile perch, an invasive species, which eats other aquatic animals. The alteration of the Lake Victoria ecosystem has had severe socioeconomic effects on communities bordering the lake. Many local people have been displaced from their traditional occupations and the decline in native fish has turned some families into economic refugees.

                   John E Cooper 

                          Simon. Sustainable use of the bounty of nature has for some time been seen as a legal mechanism to                      allow people, particularly those dependent on the harvesting of protected natural resources for their                        survival, to do so in a regulated manner. “Sustainability” demands that users do not over-exploit                              resources. It is difficult for those living at subsistence level to maintain. Many projects around the world                    try to support sustainable use of critical natural resources in face of multiple pressures.                  We often bring to mind the words of a herdsman watching over his herd of handsome, huge-horned                        Ankole cattle on pasture bordering a national park reserved for wildlife. When we praised the park, his                   rueful reply was “Ahh, but you cannot eat beauty“.  Margaret E Cooper.

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    • To John:
      Thank you, John. The example of Lake Victoria brings home how survival and nature are deeply intertwined. When ecosystems are disrupted, it’s not just wildlife that suffers – entire communities feel the ripple effects. It’s a stark reminder that valuing nature isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for livelihoods and stability.

      To Margaret:
      Thank you, Margaret. “Ahh, but you cannot eat beauty” is such a poignant reflection. It captures the challenge of balancing conservation with survival so well. Sustainability is a difficult ask for those living hand-to-mouth, but it’s vital. Perhaps the real question is: how do we make protecting nature as essential as using it? Something to ponder.

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