The UN Convention on Biological Diversity released a report by the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) which puts the need to conserve natural resources in terms that get the worlds attention in today’s financial climate, economic terms.

The report released at the U.N. Convention on Biodiversity held in Nagoya, Japan, TEEB attempted to pit a price tag on keeping various ecosystems biologically viable. The world could lose $2 trillion to $4.5 billion yearly if ecosystems continue to be destroyed at their current rate as stated by the report. An example of the current trend is the exploitation of world wide fisheries which leads to an annual loss of $50 billion yearly. Suitable alternatives can be implemented saving millions. The report credits coral reefs as an environmental asset worth $172 billion yearly, citing a coral reefs ability to provide income for the poorest of the population (fishing), as well as protection against natural disasters such as hurricanes. The report also estimates the pollination by insects to be worth $211 yearly. Furthermore, the report states that if deforestation continues at current rates until 2050 $2 to $4.5 billion dollars will be lost annually.

Giving nature a monetary value, TEEB hopes to inspire conservation measures that will save the global population money in the long run. They recommend investing $45 million now, for potential environmental profits of $5 trillion in the future. TEEB hopes the report will benefit the global economy, and the environment, by demonstrating the financial value of environmental conservation.