[Coral-List] $33B Hawaii Reefs Economic Value (Bob Bourke)
Steve Mussman
sealab at earthlink.net
Wed Nov 23 17:51:51 EST 2011
Dear Bob,
I don’t necessarily accept the “skewed outside a reasonable value” inference.
As has been explained, its is difficult to imagine a monetary value that could
represent the overpricing of an ecosystem. Let’s look at a related issue:
Apparently, we just lost the last of the Black Rhinoceros. Is there a specific
dollar value you would equate to the very existence of this species?
How is the value of an endangered species (or ecosystems) to be calculated
dispassionately? Do we measure it by just comparing the animal to the market
value of powdered rhino horns?
Of course scientists should keep it real, but “real” is in this case an elusive
concept. I’m not advocating that science be used to deliberately misrepresent
the truth, but how can you argue that a value is inflated if there is no way to
measure it with clear objectivity.
I also believe that there is more to the advocacy of coral reef preservation
than just a fight over the funding pie.
Respectfully yours,
Steve Mussman
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