Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation - Lunchtime information session
| Date and Time | Venue | Event |
|---|---|---|
Wednesday, 18th February 2009 1pm - 2 pm |
University Park, Law and Social Sciences Seminar Room A5 | ESPA - Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation - Lunchtime information session - This is the first step (Phase A) towards a one day Workshop in May 2009. Please look at the ESPA Action Plan pdf attached. Espa Leaflet (pdf) |
What is the session going to cover?
- what is ESPA
- what has the programme achieved so far and
- what are the next steps
What are Ecosystems services?
In simple terms, nature's ability to deliver key environmental services, such as: purifying air and water; providing recreational opportunities, food, fuel and medicines; regulating the climate; and soil formation.
How does it relate to poverty?
Humans have made huge changes to ecosystems in recent decades to meet growing demands for food, fresh water and energy. These changes have improved the lives of billions of people, but at the same time have weakened nature's ability to deliver its key environmental services. Many people in the poorest countries rely on ecosystem services for their livelihood, but these are already under pressure and are likely to degrade even further as changes in land use and climate continue. (More information attached)
Why is it interdisciplinary?
This is a programme within LWEC (Living with Environmental Change) funded by NERC, ESRC and DFID. It aims to produce more understanding in how to manage ecosystems more sustainable. The challenge of the sustainable ecosystem management is to understand their full value. Therefore LWEC is looking for interdisciplinary teams to work jointly on regional assessments in Africa, China, South-East Asia and South America. Tackling this interdisciplinary problem requires:
- Environmental Science/management to understand why ecosystems are becoming degraded and how to stabilise and reverse this trend;
- Ecological Economics to place a better value on ecosystems or question existing ones;
- Political Economics to identify what institutional changes are needed so that the costs and benefits or improves ecosystem management is fairly distributed to the poor; and,
- Social science to achieve a better understanding what well-being means in different contexts.
Is our University well-placed to bid for the upcoming call?
University of Nottingham Vision Magazine Article on 'Nature's Services'. The Centre for Environmental Management (CEM), within the School of Geography, contributes to this through inter- and transdisciplinary research in sustainable landscapes and ecosystems. It has an enviable reputation, regularly advising the UK Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency and other UK and EU policy makers In addition to the 'Ecosystem Services strength, we also have colleagues who successfully bid at the previous round.
What will I get out of it?
- *The session will pull expertise from colleagues at the University, and in particular Dr. Marion Potchin from CEM (Geography) who has been on the NERC evaluation panel and very recently on the Focus group to shape the new call. She will be available during this meeting to inform on the program in general but also answer specific questions.
- If you are interested in a particular angle we can support you to explore your idea and organise a mini-workshop in March.
- You will be better prepared for the Workshop on May.
- You get to enjoy a free hot lunch :)
How do I register?
Please e-mail CFE at cfe@nottingham.ac.uk and state a) whether you are able to attend and b) whether you have an idea you would like to explore as a mini workshop in March **
If you are unable to attend and you are interested please let us know and we will add you to the ESPA mailing list.