Conserving Economics for Biodiversity: Reflections on “The Dasgupta Review”

Rajeswari S  Raina

doi:10.37773/ees.v4i2.464

Authors

Rajeswari S Raina Shiv Nadar University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37773/ees.v4i2.464

Keywords:

Biodiversity; Conserving Economics; Institutions; Complexity; Environmental Social Science;

Abstract

The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review (Dasgupta 2021), henceforth the Review, tells us that we are embedded in Nature and our economies are bounded within Nature. It helps us estimate the value of natural capital and include it in estimations of economic output. The Review’s key messages concern (i) keeping our demands well within Nature’s supply, (ii) moving away from gross domestic product (GDP) towards inclusive wealth as a measure of economic success, and (iii) acknowledging the institutional failure in addressing global environmental problems and resolving them through institutional reforms in the financial and education systems. However, this commentary suggests that the Review is about conserving economics for biodiversity. It offers little opportunity for transformative change in our thinking and acting, to change our relationship with Nature so that we can conserve its diversity and dynamism...

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Author Biography

Rajeswari S Raina, Shiv Nadar University

Professor, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, NH91, Tehsil Dadri, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201314

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