Stories: People & Ecosystems

Leading companies are learning the value of ecosystems services, to the environment and to the bottom line.

New maps from SeeSouthernForests.org show the scale of forest loss from surface mining in Appalachia.

In May 2010, Norway agreed to contribute up to $1 billion towards reducing deforestation and forest degradation and loss of peatland in Indonesia, which now account for more than 80 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The “Letter of Intent” is a promising first step, yet the two countries must still settle key details of the agreement. Below is WRI’s analysis of the Letter of Intent and recommendations for what should be addressed next.

A new policy to develop oil palm on degraded land could protect Indonesia’s forests. But what does “degraded” really mean?

The BP oil spill will degrade critical ecosystem services and their economic benefits for decades to come.

This week, governments will meet in Korea to decide whether to establish an intergovernmental panel on biodiversity services.

WRI’s Lauretta Burke discusses her work on measuring the economic value of coral reefs in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries.