Earth Economics

How Microforests Are Helping Improve Biodiversity A microforest is a tiny forest planted with the goal of improving biodiversity and fighting climate change, especially amid expanding urban areas and industrial hubs. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Emilie...

Our work with Groundwork Elizabeth was featured on the Today Show! To reintroduce nature to their community, Elizabeth planted a series of “microforests,” dense plots high in biodiversity which develop the characteristics of mature forests up to 5 times faster than other urban forests. #microforests

Washington, DC Flood Map and Climate Risk Report Access high-resolution, interactive flood maps and understand the risk of flooding for properties in Washington, DC as well as flood prevention.

New research by First Street shows nearly one-fifth of the homes in Washington DC face high flood risks, with homes along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers rated major or severe.
#floodrisk

Earth Economics is hiring! We are seeking a Communications Manager (contractor) to help shape our voice and amplify our impacts through storytelling, thought leadership, and creative campaigns. #joinourteam

For city dwellers, even 15 minutes in nature can improve mental health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health As the proportion of the global population living in cities rises to 70% by 2050, mental health challenges more common in urbanites — such as anxiety and mood

A recent Harvard and Stanford study shows that time spent in nature can significantly improve mental health. Urban forests were found to be particularly effective at reducing depression and anxiety. #urbannature

Wildfire Resilience Disclosures: A Strategic Investment Opportunity in California Real Estate and Insurance Wildfire Resilience Disclosures: A Strategic Investment Opportunity in California Real Estate and Insurance

Wildfire resilience is becoming a factor in California’s real estate market. Protecting homes stabilizes real estate prices—Tahoe area homeowners saw 39% lower premiums and 89% lower deductibles after implementing forest management practices. #riskmitigation

WRI has published “The New Global Possible” to commemorate the signing of the Paris Agreement. It includes firsthand accounts of engaging with global climate leaders, showing powerful stories of hope and innovation across technology, nature-based solutions, and social movements. #climateaction

Going Steady with Herman Daly - A New Podcast Series With cities across the world on the frontlines of escalating wildfires, floods, and political instability, driven by a global economy still hooked on fossil fuels, GDP growth, and failed neoliberal do...

Cities 1.5 is a podcast by the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, produced by the University of Toronto Press. This summer, their Editor-in-Chief David Miller hosted a short podcast series on the life and thought of a giant in Ecological Economics, Herman Daly. #hermandaly

Parks Tacoma’s Climate Action Plan – a roadmap for a more resilient and sustainable future Creating healthy opportunities to play, learn and grow.

Parks Tacoma has unveiled its first comprehensive Climate Action Plan, developed in collaboration with community and expert partners. The Plan sets ambitious targets: net‑zero emissions, a 15–20% drop in water use, electrifying 75% of its vehicle fleet, and boosting staff commuting. #climateaction

In New Jersey, Benefits Bloom in Tiny Forests A nonprofit planted five “microforests” to tackle environmental problems in Elizabeth, N.J. Scientists say they’re making a big difference.

In 2021, Groundwork installed the first “microforest,” small neighborhood stands of more than 260 native trees and plants. Earlier this year, they asked Earth Economics to assess their broader benefits and costs. #microforests

California's home hardening economy — Earth Economics Earth Economics has developed high-level estimates of how investments in home hardening can support jobs, economic activity, and tax revenues. Every dollar invested returns $1.70 in total economic act...

Earth Economics has analyzed home hardening against wildfires across California. Each retrofitting dollar generates $1.70 in total economic activity. Moderately hardening throughout the state would support 74K−92.5K jobs, generate $21−$26.5B in economic and activity. #wildfireresilience

One Seattle neighborhood braces for climate change, rising waters A flood in 2022 signaled how bad things can get in an urban neighborhood staring down even more sea level rise in the decades to come.

The South Park neighborhood along the Duwamish River in Seattle faces worsening floods from climate change, rising sea levels, and aging infrastructure. #floodrisk

The 2025 Ingrid Rasch Legacy Fund — Earth Economics Support from the Ingrid Rasch Legacy Fund enables Earth Economics to offer technical assistance to community-based non-profit organizations to help advance local solutions to environmental issues. App...

Does your community need help making the case for nature-based solutions? Do you want to build your capacity in communicating the benefits of green infrastructure? #ingridraschlegacyfund

Applications are open until July 14, 2025.

The Business Case for Investing in Nature: From Novel to the New Normal - Pacific Institute Dr. Gregg Brill explains how the Accounting for Nature Program helps businesses and governments identify and quantify the benefits of … The Business Case for Investing in Nature: From Novel to the New...

The Pacific Institute launched the Accounting for Nature Program to equip decisionmakers with evidence and tools for investing in nature-based solutions.

With benefit-cost analyses of real-world case studies, the program helps make the business case for nature-based solutions. #naturebasedsolutions

Harnessing Natural Capital and Strategic Investment for Sustainable Prosperity Harnessing Natural Capital and Strategic Investment for Sustainable Prosperity Harnessing Natural Capital and Strategic Investment for Sustainable Prosperity Natural capital, encompassing vital resources like forests, rivers, Discover how natural capital valuation is transformin...

Integrating natural capital—forests, wetlands, clean water—into economic planning can drive sustainable growth. By valuing these resources, governments and investors can make informed decisions that balance development with environmental stewardship. #naturalcapital

‘Spiral of silence’: climate action is very popular, so why don’t people realise it? Researchers find 89% of people around the world want more to be done, but mistakenly assume their peers do not

A recent global survey of 125 countries revealed that 89% of respondents want their governments to do more on climate change. #climateaction

Will making Canada’s national parks free hurt nature? Conservationists are in favour of free national parks — which could increase public support for protections — but say Ottawa must manage the ecological costs

All Canadian national parks will be free until September, with added discounts on amenities. This fulfills a campaign promise of the newly elected government, and marks 8 years since Canada made park access free for its 150th anniversary. #outdoorrecreation

Not just a swamp: Everglades worth $31.5 billion to local economy each year, study finds Aside from being a national treasure, South Florida’s defining ecosystem is a massive economic engine, a new report finds

The Greater Everglades system contributes over $31.5 billion to support the wellbeing of residents and visitors of south Florida—over 50 years, this translates to an asset value of more than $1 trillion. #foreverglades

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Tree Equity is Reciprocity. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Join us for a special kickoff to the Tree Equity Coaching Network with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer—renowned author, botanist, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Through a rich blend of Indigeno...

American Forests is convening urban foresters, community advocates, city leaders and allied professionals to share expertise and resources in the Tree Equity Coaching Network. #TreeEquity

New Tool Shows Flood Risks to Local Southwest Florida Infrastructure and Assets - NCCOS - National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Extreme weather events and rising seas are creating more frequent flooding conditions in southwest Florida. A NOAA-funded study has supported the development of an online viewer called the Adaptation ...

NOAA and partners have launched the ACUNE GeoTool—an interactive online platform that shows how sea level rise, storm surge, and urban runoff may impact infrastructure, ecosystems, and even historic sites across Southwest Florida.
#coastalflooding

Rejuvenating a Community Park — Earth Economics In 2024, LISC Jacksonville and community partners invested in the rejuvenation of Ribault Scenic Drive Park in Jacksonville, FL. The 1.36 acre park is one of the few places in the Lake Forest area whe...

In 2024, LISC Jacksonville invested in the rejuvenation of Ribault Scenic Drive Park in Jacksonville, FL. The 1.36 acre park is the only park within walking distance for most Lake Forest Hills residents. #urbangreening

Analysis | Which cities have the most trees? See how yours stacks up. Why some U.S. cities are so much greener than others

The Arbor Day Foundation, US Forest Service and forestry consultants PlanIT Geo have created an interactive tool that explores changes in urban forest cover. #urbantrees

‘It will be beautiful to see our kids grow up with this’: how communities around the world are planting trees City residents are working out how to fill their streets with trees as evidence grows of their benefits

Grassroot movements from London to Singapore are planting trees and transforming their neighborhoods. Such community-led greening is improving urban quality of life, strengthening social ties and climate resilience. #plantatree

Last week, the Ohio River Basin Alliance, the National Wildlife Federation, and the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute released the Ohio River Basin Restoration and Protection Plan for public comment.

Comments will be accepted through July 18. #riverrestoration

Nature's Value in the Everglades — Earth Economics Earth Economics and the Everglade Foundation conducted a science-based analysis of the broad economic value provided by Everglades ecosystems, highlighting key benefits for Floridians and underscoring...

Earth Economics has partnered with The Everglades Foundation to assess the value provided by 8 ecosystem services, which provide at least $31B in value each year, with an asset value of at least $1.01T. #foreverglades

Delta duck hunting offers conservation solutions, but the ducks are disappearing | The Lens Arkansas has no state laws specifically for wetland protection, leading conservationists to depend on funds raised by duck stamps. But waterfowl populations are under increasing threats leading to few...

In Arkansas, duck hunting has long funded wetland preservation through license fees and gear purchases. However, declining waterfowl populations—driven by habitat loss and climate change—now threaten both the sport and the ecosystems it supports. #wetlandswork

‘All the birds returned’: How a Chinese project led the way in water and soil conservation The Loess plateau was considered the most eroded place on Earth until China took action and reversed decades of damage from grazing and farming

Following 1999’s ambitious "Grain to Green" initiative, vast expanses of degraded land in China's Loess Plateau have been revitalized, with a 25% increase in vegetative cover, reduced soil erosion, more productive agriculture, and greater biodiversity. #ecosystemrestoration

‘L.A. trees are kicking ass.' Urban plants capture more CO2 than expected, study finds A researcher tracking CO2 emissions across a swath of the city says trees are ‘uncanny’ air cleaners.

A recent USC study revealed that trees in Los Angeles absorb up to 60% of daytime CO2 emissions. #urbantrees

Calculator - GSI Impact Hub gsi impact calculator Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program The GSI Impact Calculator is designed to support stormwater practitioners, urban planners, policymakers, and community advocates in evaluating the ...

The GSI Impact Hub has produced an online calculator to estimate the effects of individual GSI (green stormwater infrastructure) projects, based on user-supplied data and scenarios. #greeninfrastructure

How the Klamath Dams Came Down Last year, tribes in Oregon and California pulled off the largest dam removal in U.S. history. This is their story.

For decades, the Yurok and Karuk Tribes fought to remove four hydro dams along the Klamath River. These dams, constructed in the early 20th century by PacifiCorp, severely disrupted salmon migration and degraded water quality.
#riverrestoration