** Report finds benefits of protecting 30 percent of the planet outweigh the costs
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Thursday, July 8, 2020
A new report has found that the economic benefits of protecting 30 percent of the planet outweighs the cost by a ratio of at least 5-to-1 ([link removed]) . The report offers new evidence that nature conservation drives economic growth, delivers key non-monetary benefits, and is a net contributor to a resilient global economy.
The report ([link removed]) analyzes the financial and non-monetary benefits of protected areas. Ecosystem services of protected areas include benefits like climate change mitigation, flood protection, clean water provision, and soil conservation. Analysis shows that additional protections would lead to an average of $250 billion in increased economic output annually and an average of $350 billion in improved ecosystem services annually compared with the status quo.
“Our report shows that protection in today’s economy brings in more revenue than the alternatives and likely adds revenue to agriculture and forestry, while helping prevent climate change, water crises, biodiversity loss and disease... You cannot put a price tag on nature — but the economic numbers point to its protection,” said Anthony Waldron of the University of Cambridge, the lead author of the report.
The new research comes as politicians and governments around the globe begin to recognize the urgent calls of the scientific community to protect 30 percent of the world by 2030 (30x30) in order to prevent the collapse of natural systems. Here in the United States ([link removed]) , the effort is led in Congress ([link removed]) by Senator Tom Udall and Representative Deb Haaland.
** Is this the end of new pipelines, and the beginning of a renewable era?
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It's been a tough week for fossil fuels ([link removed]) . Three major pipeline projects faced setbacks or were defeated ([link removed]) , reflecting difficult legal headwinds, shifting economies, and growing demands to fight climate change. The week of major announcements has caused some activists to say that they see a turning point in their battle against fossil fuels ([link removed]) : the events are likely to cause utilities to see renewable energy as a safer bet
([link removed]) than fossil fuels, and the ruling for additional environmental review on the Dakota Access pipeline after it has been in use for years may end the current 'build first' strategy of developers ([link removed]) .
Quick hits
** Alaska, tribes at center of Trump administration’s drive to drill public lands during pandemic without public input
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ABC News ([link removed])
** Utah congressman introduced legislation handing Air Force over half of a Nevada wildlife refuge—without consulting delegation
Nevada Independent ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
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** Court tosses Yellowstone grizzly delisting
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Missoulian ([link removed]) | Idaho Statesman ([link removed]) | Missoula Current ([link removed])
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** Despite local pushback, Wyoming regulators approve state's first new coal mine in decades, even as Wyoming coal may be coming to an end
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** Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Kemmerer Gazette ([link removed])
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** Utah oil field leaves a mixed legacy for members of the Navajo Nation
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
** Yosemite ranger tells untold story of African Americans in national parks
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Men's Journal ([link removed])
** Colorado may have missed a deadline to plan for reducing greenhouse gasses. Now the state faces a lawsuit.
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
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** California condors seen in Sequoia National Park, a first in 50 years
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | National Public Radio ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The flaring and the venting need to be controlled to protect the community members out here. Community members are suffering from asthma, nausea... People, they complain about headaches and dizziness and all that.”
—Sam Dee, member of the Navajo Nation | Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Picture this
** @USFWSRefuges ([link removed])
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“No, keep your head down! That IS Mildred. If we keep down, maybe she won’t see us.” Trumpeter swans at Seedskdaee #WildlifeRefuge ([link removed]) in WY. See all captions: [link removed] ([link removed]) /Tom Koerner, USFWS
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