Ariele Dashow, J.D.’s Post

Here is a good example in how the management of our actions are critically important to ensure the protection of the wetlands and therefore this ecosystems continue to benefit people and wildlife.

Rewilding and wetland rejuvenation are crucial if UK biodiversity is to recover effectively whilst still allowing for governance to reach flood risk management goals set out by the Environment Agency and DEFRA

Wetlands are also carbon sinks. Trapping and storage of green house gases and helping to mitigate climate change effects. They are capable of storing upto 40% of carbon stored on land.

Wetlands are so important in our biodiverse ecosystems. Please take a moment to read through this post by UN Biodiversity to get more info on the importance of wetlands.

Creating a healthy balance between nature preservation and building cash flowing businesses is undervalued. For instance, although I’m passionate about real estate investing, it‘s frustrating to constantly see acreage of wildlife forests sold off and cut down to make space for new home builds or more storage unit sites. I see this occurring both in overpopulated cities with poor air quality as well as rural areas with good air quality as the crucial role of nature continues to be dismissed in many areas. I often think about the positive community impacts that would occur if those lots were bought and saved as wildlife preserves by successful nonprofits. These lots could be used to breed crucial pollinators like honey bees, as safe spaces to release rehabilitated wildlife animals, or to reintroduce endangered species back into local areas. On other woodland lots, trails could be added for locals to step into nature which has both a positive impact on mental and physical health. Not to mention, trees play an important role in air quality, water quality, and houses wildlife which has a ripple effect on our health as humans. Although mangrove trees are now protected in Florida, for years they were wiped out by coastal development. Around the world, mangrove forests are still cut down to create water views which can increase the value of a real estate investment or to make way for rice and palm oil plantations. According to nature.org, “Mangrove forests capture massive amounts of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and then trap and store them in their carbon-rich flooded soils for millennia” (2020). They also play a critical role in protecting the main land when storms take place. “Wetlands are highly productive and biologically diverse systems that enhance water quality, control erosion, maintain stream flows, sequester carbon, and provide a home to at least one third of all threatened and endangered species” (National Park Service, 2016). However, when considering property value, wetland presence often decreases the value for reasons like wetland limiting where structures can be built. These are just a few examples of how nature is deemed as less valuable than the monetary gain that comes from discarding it. We need to find more ways to promote the monetary value of wildlife spaces like wetlands, biodiverse forests, coral restoration, and wildlife sanctuaries. If we continue to view the demolishment and depletion of nature as the most lucrative approach to reach monetary goals then this just continues to add to challenging environmental impacts that we are already trying to correct like the effects of the plastic industry. Modern businesses consider the environmental impacts of their products and processes. Modern consumers hold businesses accountable by learning about the environmental impacts of a business and shopping accordingly. #Nature is our most valuable resource.

⚖ Protecting our natural ecosystems isn't just the 'right' thing to do, it's also the smart thing to do to ensure we're creating the most resilient cities & communities for future generations! 🌱 The brilliant infographic below shared by #UNBiodiversity demonstrates how protecting #wetlands in the US state of Nebraska can have multiple societal and economic benefits. While the example is specific to wetlands in Nebraska, the same idea applies to various natural ecosystem types across the world... 🌎 👐 The underlying takeaway is that protecting & restoring #nature means we ALL win! #NatureRecovery #NatureRestoration #NatureRrotection #EcosystemServices

Assert #LANDBACK including of Coastlines, Oceans, Rivers, Wetlands is VITAL. #COP16. Insist harmful Industries, the worst being the wars and weapons complex fueling #genocide and #ecocide be BANNED and ILLEGAL under International Law. Reduce #plastic #Fossilfuel extractions and offer alternatives for #plasticFree Ecosystems, for human health and development requires protecting Biodiversity and respect of International Humanitarian Law.

important to note

Management actions are essential to ensuring that hashtag #wetlands continue to deliver vital benefits for both people and wildlife. Wetland ecosystem services include: 🌊 Reducing flooding 💧 Improving water quality 🦆 Providing habitats for wildlife Via Rainwater Basin Joint Venture

THE ECONOMIC COST OF ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE IS HIDDEN IN FEASIBILITY STUDIES Development projects without thought for ecological considerations is a certain recipe for disaster. Under the guise of development critical low lying tracts of land are filled. Imagine the cost of disaster relief, productivity losses from flooded roads and neighborhoods? The city of Colombo sits on a flood plain and often experiences floods. In recent times, careless design of the Central Expressway has made Gampaha vulnerable to floods. The cost of environmental disasters don’t feature in the rupees and cents of feasibility reports. Conversely, the economic benefit of natural (ecological) assets are rarely valued. The reason why Environmental Impact Assesments should not be viewed as just a “tick the box” exercise. #eia #economiccost #ecologicaldamage