Innovations in Science and Policy for Harmonizing People and Nature

Around the world, leaders are recognizing ecosystems as natural capital assets that supply life-support services of tremendous value.  The challenge is to turn this recognition into incentives and institutions that will guide wise investments in natural capital, on a large scale.  Gretchen Daily will discuss pioneering advances being made on two key fronts.  The first is the development of new science and technical tools for valuing Nature, such as InVEST, a software system developed by the Natural Capital Project for Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs.  And the second is new policies and finance mechanisms being implemented worldwide, with examples from China, South America, and the United States.  Taken together, there is promise for forging a deep and lasting transformation that harmonizes people and Nature.