Natural Capital

Natural capital helps us see nature-based solutions not as nice extras but as real assets that produce measurable benefits. Wetlands can reduce flood risk, forests can store carbon and improve water quality and mangroves can protect coastlines. In my work, natural capital provides a framework for comparing these benefits alongside more conventional investments. That makes it easier to ask practical questions such as: when can restoring or protecting ecosystems be one of the smartest ways to solve economic and environmental problems at the same time?

Expert: Justin Johnson, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Economics, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

My work focuses on making the value of nature visible in ways that inform real-world decisions. I assess natural capital using ecosystem service modeling, geospatial analysis and economic frameworks like United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting to quantify how ecosystems reduce climate risks, support livelihoods and strengthen climate resilience. I work with governments and multilateral bodies and processes from The Gambia and Germany, to Minnesota to apply these insights in policy and practice. At NatCap TEEMs, we approach this as “dignifying nature” not “commodifying nature” via earth-economy modeling —using accounting not to reduce nature to numbers but to elevate its role as a foundational asset for resilient, sustainable and equitable futures.

Expert: Nfamara Dampha, Lead Natural Resources Scientist and Center Director of The Earth–Economy Modelers (TEEMs), Natural Capital Project, Department of Applied Economics, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Natural capital is one of the most important, yet least accounted-for, assets in our global economy. I study it to help integrate the many values of nature into policy and financial decisions. When we ignore natural capital, decisions become inefficient and we undermine long-term prosperity. Better accounting can lead to better outcomes for both people and the planet.

Expert: Forest Isbell, Associate Professor, College of Biological Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities