[Coral-List] Value of Hawaiian Coral Reefs
Steve Mussman
sealab at earthlink.net
Sat Nov 12 19:25:58 UTC 2011
Bob Bourke’s critique of the NOAA funded study on the economic values
relating to Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems may be enlightening, but perhaps
not in the way intended. Upon critically examining the study, the science
applied may well have faults, but the metric used (cost-benefit analysis)
may simply be more convenient than appropriate when applied to the subject
at hand.
Understanding that dollar values have commonality doesn’t necessarily mean
that this form of measure represents the most suitable approach. Limiting the
debate to descriptions in monetary terms often introduces biases designed to
benefit one side or another. In this case, it is possible that the $33 billion
per year reflects an inflated value, but more critical is the fact that it points
to the realization that there are some things that defy accurate description in
these limited terms.
How exactly do we objectively place a fair dollar value on a breaching whale or
even Gene’s giant surfing waves? Maybe we shouldn’t even try and instead begin to
apply new and different approaches when dealing with issues that may come to
symbolize an impending ecological collapse.
Regards,
Steve
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