Dow commits ten million dollars in partnership to put business value on ecosystems
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
In 2010, the concept of ecosystem services appeared on the radar of a number of companies all around the world, and with some companies and in some countries it was before that time alredy. But in the wake of news from Dow Chemical, 2011 may be an even bigger year. However, for some reason I am not going to hold my breath.
We had such an exercise many years ago when Bayer in Germany announce the “Bayer forscht für den Umwelschutz” program. Translated it was the “Bayer researches for the protection of the environment” program and it was more than laughable. Bayer is implicated with its chemicals in the colony collapse problems of the honey bee in Europe but claims that its products are totally safe.
Dow announced a partnership with The Nature Conservancy to help incorporate the value that nature brings – from water and soil's value to agriculture to the benefits wetlands and reefs offer to insurance companies – into business decisions, plans and strategies, both for Dow as well as in the larger business universe.
Dow has committed $10 million over the next five years to work with the Nature Conservancy on applying scientific knowledge and experience to understanding the interrelationship between Dow's business and the ecosystems in which it operates.
One of the major objectives of the partnership is to share the lessons learned with the public and through a peer-review process to allow other companies and scientists to test and apply them, so both Dow and The Nature Conservancy say. Mind if I remain skeptical.
Dow intends to kick off the partnership on at least three manufacturing sites; working with The Nature Conservancy scientists to help answer questions about the value and benefits of natural areas on or near where Dow works, such as the benefits of a forest to ensuring clean water for towns and factories, and the role natural wetlands and reefs play in preventing damage from storms.
Has The Nature Conservancy allowed itself to be bought by a chemical giant that has a bad conscience and would like to be seen as “green” is the question that I would put into the room here, so to speak, and we shall see what the truth is going to be in the end.
But before I believe that any company such as Dow, Bayer, KBR, etc., have any really interest in green affairs other than making themselves look good to their inverters and the general public hell might begin to freeze over.
If recent temperatures in the Easter Unites States and the Mid-West are anything to go by hell could freeze over one of these days but somehow I do doubt that one.
© 2011
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