Today, we’re on the brink of what might be the most important tipping point of our lifetime: the point where conserving land and water actually does more to benefit the economy than developing or exploiting it. This is true whether we’re talking about jobs, GDP, or travel.
Until now, NGOs and activists fighting fiercely to preserve the natural environment have often lost to big-money industries such as energy and property development. But today there’s an increased desire for outdoor recreation opportunities in developed countries. Across the American West, cities like Grand Junction, CO; Vernal, UT; and Farmington, NM, are experiencing firsthand the financial benefits of shifting economic focus from oil and gas development to recreation and conservation. Some parcels of land surrounding these places that have long been leased for oil and gas development are being repurposed, often for outdoor recreation sites like trail systems for hiking, biking, off-roading, and other activities.
This is happening partly because coal power plants are being consistently retired as renewable energy and natural gas become cheaper than coal power, and partly because people just want to get outside. Adventure tourism is now the fastest-growing niche in travel, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association. The result is that across the United States and beyond, using land for recreation and conservation is becoming more lucrative for both the public and private sectors than developing it.
In line with the boom in outdoor recreation is a continued shift in public opinion toward conservation. With images of the burning Amazon and starving polar bears making the rounds in traditional and social media, awareness of human-caused global devastation is at an all-time high. People want to be part of the solution, and they’re more willing than ever to spend money on travel, products, and campaigns that coincide with their values. A new report from the charity Campaign for Nature cites scientific studies showing the global economic benefit to protecting 30 percent of the land and water worldwide.
“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. Increasing nature protection is sound policy for governments juggling multiple interests. You cannot put a price tag on nature — but the economic numbers point to its protection,” said the report’s lead author Anthony Waldron in a press release.
The report notes that a global annual investment of $140 billion toward reaching and maintaining this conservation milestone would return an average annual economic output of $250 billion. You don’t have to be a Wall Street investor to know that’s a heck of a deal.
In the US, a bill was recently introduced to cover our portion of the deal. The Great American Outdoors Act was introduced by Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico in June, aiming to protect 30 percent of the US’ land and water by 2030 and setting the course to protect 50 percent by 2050. We’ll likely need to wait until a new administration takes over the White House or the Democrats flip the US Senate to see this bill become law, but the conversation has at least begun.
Until then, remember “the tipping point” the next time you find yourself in a conversation that includes the phrase, “But what about THE ECONOMY?” The shrinking of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments is actually a big deal, from all angles — including financially. The economic benefits of conserving that land for the long-term far outweigh the short-term profits of a few private companies, and those benefits are spread to Native American tribes, local and regional governments, and the entire outdoors industry. The tipping point is here and the conservationists now have the force of the almighty dollar on their side, the only thing that seems to appease the development crowd.
And, be sure you’re registered to vote in this November’s presidential election.
Matador Network has covered these issues extensively, with reports from Vernal, British Columbia, and elsewhere. Follow our Outdoors section and sign up for our newsletters for the latest.
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