Description
The film “Banking Nature” deals directly with one of the main topics of our lesson — ecosystem services. In the film, various different people debate the merits and pitfalls of paying for ecosystem services, that is to say, “banking nature.” In the process of presented various arguments for and against paying for nature, additional content related to our course appears — including concerns about food security (e.g., the bees), the dominance of certain companies (e.g, our discussion of the large global brands), the difference between cost and value (e.g., externalities), and of course, biodiversity. While there are compelling points raised by people both sides of the argument, you are likely to find yourself gravitating towards one point of view or the other. You will draw primarily on the film, but you are welcome to also draw upon the themes introduced in Sachs Chapter 13 and this week’s lecture materials on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Steps
- Watch the documentary film https://youtu.be/y1EdZeRHgbM
- Write a position paper that draws on this film to discuss Sachs chapter 13, as well as any additional relevant chapters.
