[Coral-List] NOAA news release: U.S. residents say Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems worth $33.57 billion per year
frahome at yahoo.com
frahome at yahoo.com
Fri Nov 4 16:40:38 UTC 2011
What does it mean? That if we find a (long term?) alternative use for these sites worth $40 billion per year we can feel fine to blow the Hawaiian reefs up?
I am very curious to understand how is "the willingness to pay to protect the coral reef ecosystem for future generations" evaluated?
Like for example if I was one of those interviewed and I had no money on my account how much could I have offered maximum to protect the reef?
I noted there is a special category for people considering themselves environmentalists. Why? Are their values taken more or less into account?
I apologize in advance for not having time to read and understand the full report.
Greetings
Francesca
________________________________
From: Jon Corsiglia <Jon.Corsiglia at noaa.gov>
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 6:26 PM
Subject: [Coral-List] NOAA news release: U.S. residents say Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems worth $33.57 billion per year
U.S. residents say Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems worth $33.57 billion
per year
Peer-reviewed survey asked U.S. public value of protecting the main
Hawaiian Islands’ corals
October 21, 2011
http://coralreef.noaa.gov/hicoraleconval/
A peer-reviewed study commissioned by NOAA shows the American people
assign an estimated total economic value of $33.57 billion for the coral
reefs of the main Hawaiian Islands.
“The study shows that people from across the United States treasure
Hawaii’s coral reefs, even though many never get to visit them,” said
Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and
atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “It illustrates the economic value of
coral reefs to all Americans, and how important it is to conserve these
ecosystems for future generations.”
"We are pleased that research is being done to look at the value of
Hawaii's coral reefs, but before we consider any potential applications
of the study we will consult closely with local communities," said
William J. Aila, Jr., chairperson of the Hawaii Department of Land and
Natural Resources.
The study employed a scientifically developed national Internet survey
of more than 3,200 households – a representative sample of all U.S.
residents, not just Hawaii or coastal residents. From June through
October 2009, the survey allowed the public to express its preferences
and values for protection and restoration of the coral reef ecosystems
around the main Hawaiian Islands. In this study, total economic value
includes so-called passive use values, such as the willingness to pay to
protect the coral reef ecosystem for future generations, as well as
direct use values, such as snorkeling over a coral reef or consuming
fish supported by coral reef ecosystems.
A panel of independent university and private scientists, from both
Hawaii and the continental U.S., provided facts to the survey design
team about the Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems and provided estimates of
how the coral reef ecosystems would change in response to the two
possible management options. The descriptions, including illustrations,
of improvement to coral ecosystems gave survey respondents a clear
understanding of what they were being asked to value and how the
ecosystems would change as a result of the protection measures.
To estimate underlying values the public places on coral reef
ecosystems, the study team presented survey participants with two
specific measures to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems. One
measure aimed at reducing effects to coral ecosystems from fishing, and
another to repair reefs damaged by ships.
The main Hawaiian Islands consist of eight volcanic islands that range
in age from active lava flows on the east side of the Big Island to
seven million-year-old Kauai. Despite their economic significance, reefs
near urbanized areas, such as Honolulu, Wailuku, and Kahului, have
experienced increasing stress from ever-increasing population and other
pressures.
The national survey was funded by NOAA and the National Science
Foundation, and was designed to address the issue of Internet bias. The
survey was conducted through two Internet panels; one recruited
participants using controlled random digit dialing telephone surveys and
the other using standard U.S. Bureau of the Census methods of randomly
selecting households and going to each household to recruit participants
via face-to-face interviewing.
NOAA will use this study to provide a reliable estimate of the value of
the coral reef ecosystem around the main Hawaiian Islands. It also
demonstrates that coral reefs provide valuable ecological services for
U.S. residents, regardless of whether they actually use them.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's
environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and
to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on
Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.
--
Jon Corsiglia
Communications& Outreach Specialist
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
Find us online: http://coralreef.noaa.gov
'Like' us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/uscoralreefgov
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