ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS Meaning and
Definition
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Environmental assets refer to the natural resources and ecosystems that provide various benefits to the environment, society, and the economy. These assets include forests, rivers, wetlands, biodiversity, clean air, and clean water, among others. They are vital for sustaining life on Earth and ensuring the well-being of present and future generations.
The term "environmental assets" emphasizes the value and significance of these resources beyond their economic benefits. It recognizes their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and providing ecosystem services that are essential for human well-being. Environmental assets contribute to climate regulation, water purification, soil fertility, carbon storage, and protection against natural hazards.
These assets are often considered common goods, owned by society as a whole, as their benefits extend beyond individual or national boundaries. Therefore, their management and conservation require collective action, involving governments, communities, businesses, and individuals.
Environmental assets are susceptible to degradation and depletion due to human activities such as deforestation, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. The irreplaceable nature of these resources and their vital importance for sustaining life make their conservation and sustainable management critical.
Efforts to protect and restore environmental assets are crucial for achieving sustainability goals, safeguarding biodiversity, and mitigating climate change impacts. Moreover, recognizing the economic value of these assets can help promote more sustainable practices and encourage the inclusion of environmental considerations in decision-making processes.
Etymology of ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS
The word "environmental assets" is composed of two main components: "environmental" and "assets".
1. "Environmental" refers to anything related to the natural world, including the surroundings or conditions in which living organisms exist.
- The term "environmental" comes from the French word "environnement", which means "surrounding" or "circumstances".
- It is derived from the Old French word "environ", which combines "en" (in) and "viron" (circle).
2. "Assets" refer to valuable resources or possessions that have economic or social value.
- "Assets" originate from the Middle English word "asset", which implies "enough" or "sufficient", stemming from the Old French term "assez" with the same meaning.
- The Old French word has Latin roots, derived from "ad satis", which means "to sufficiency".
