Messaging Ecosystem Services

From the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation blog:

People HATE the terms "ecosystem services" and "natural capital"; the very concept that nature "serves" us is unappealing; abstract cases for markets are off-putting, and; while Americans across the political spectrum are deeply and strongly committed to valuing nature, dollars are the least preferred way of doing so.

"The language surrounding ecosystem services is a jargon-rich, dense amalgam of scientific, financial, regulatory and conservation parlance. Those working to advance ecosystem services projects struggle to articulate what they're trying to do, and why their approach is more effective and efficient."

This poses a challenge for those of us working in poor areas to finance environmental conservation. We look forward to having discussions with our partners and friends in the conservation community about finding new ways of communicating our message.