There is a call to action to recognize the impact of positive contributions to nature. Why is it that we have measures of how much we are taking from nature (CO₂ foot-printing) but not how much we give back? I am launching a new framework for a lifestyle, economy and global movement.

Replenish is the measure of an individual’s eco-system service to nature. Research on Replenish will provide a per capita measurement to radically shift our perception of resource-use, positively impacting the environment as citizens take small, manageable steps to reducing their negative impact on Earth.

Introduction

The science is available for humankind to take the step towards more sustainable cities. However, the challenge is how to build infrastructure and an economy that will aid in the physical, social and enviromental evolution of these cities. A metric is required to support the development, implementation and on-going evaluation of a sustainable lifestyle.

The combination of Circular Economics, Ecosystem Services and Social Science Methods are necessary to establish and test indicators that Replenish.

How to facilitate this shift?

Replenish = A measure of what we give back to nature

Carbon or Water footprints are helpful in determining our individual and collective impact on the environment. Replenish is the measure of what we give back to nature in terms of resource, so 100% Replenishment is Zero Carbon Zero Waste. The Replenishment Footprint is the measure of environmental gains from one’s services to nature. This has never been done before. The measurement is innovative, as it engages the scientific community to test how they are personally replenishing their cities.

Replenish works also for business – with global warming we are already experiencing a shift in the value proposition of businesses worldwide. Where they are accountable for their impact on the environment, this shift exists and it is a multi-billion dollar opportunity. UCL Climatology Department is currently benefitting from vast sums of investment from companies interested in the negative impacts of Climate Change on their businesses.

At the core of this shift in global markets, there is a revolution of the circular economy for designing improved resource allocation. This means no waste to landfill. It suggests an extension to product-life. The European Commission notes that the role of biodiversity, ecosystems and their services is largely undervalued and the costs associated to waste are often not reflected in prices, what would a world with no waste look like?

Aside from the business case of shifting towards a circular economy, there is a way to work on the incentives of living in a more eco-friendly manner. I see the positive impact these changes can have on people’s health and well-being and it is not too difficult to achieve. Given a viable framework, Replenish will provide a bottom-up approach to mitigating anthropogenic climate-change by providing the means to observe trends and patterns in replenishment, further the evidence of positive impacts to nature and inform future policy decisions.

How do you get involved? Send me a message on tia@kansarahackney.com or tweet me on @2050City

Tia Kansara

Director, Kansara Hackney Ltd.