Fundamentally Changing our Thinking about Economic Systems

The world's obsession with economic growth is killing nature, report finds

Natural History Museum

Currently, we are asking too much of the natural world, which presents a risk to both the economy and the wellbeing of our children and grandchildren. We need transformative change.

Prof Sir Dasgupta recommends three areas of change:

1. Ensure that our demands on nature do not exceed its supply.
2. Change the way we think about economic success.
3. Transform our finance and education systems.

To make it easier for nature to provide for us, we need to find better, more efficient ways of farming that will both preserve wild spaces and create jobs at the same time. The world also needs to get used to the idea of consuming less and reusing, recycling and sharing what we have much more than we do now. Governments can nudge this along with policies that change prices and behavioural norms.

Natural capital forms the bulk of wealth in low-income countries, and those on low incomes tend to rely more directly on nature, which means conserving and restoring our natural assets also contributes to alleviating poverty.

Countries also need to measure their wealth differently, not using gross domestic product (GDP), but by measuring all our assets, including nature.

Read the full article.

Outbreak of Salmonellosis

Bad news, WA folks. There's an outbreak of salmonellosis affecting finches and other songbirds in our state. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends temporarily taking down feeders, or doing extra maintenance to feeders to keep them safe.

Help protect wild birds from deadly salmonellosis

"The first indication of the disease for bird watchers to look for is often a seemingly tame bird on or near a feeder. The birds become very lethargic, fluff out their feathers, and are easy to approach. This kind of behavior is generally uncommon to birds," Mansfield said. "Unfortunately, at this point there is very little people can do to treat them. The best course it to leave the birds alone."

Members of the public can help to stop the spread of salmonellosis by discontinuing backyard bird feeding until at least February, to encourage birds to disperse and forage naturally.

"Birds use natural food sources year-round, even while also using backyard bird feeders, so they should be fine without the feeders," Mansfield said.

Those who choose not to discontinue wild bird feeding are encouraged to clean feeders daily by first rinsing the feeder well with warm soapy water, then dunking in a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach. Finish by rinsing and drying before refilling. Keep the ground below the feeder clean by raking or shoveling up feces and seed casings.
(Read the full article here.)