WASHINGTON, DC — The Environmental Law Institute will host its annual Miriam Hamilton Keare Policy Forum on October 30, 2007. Moderated by veteran ABC News Science Correspondent Ned Potter, this year's theme, "Ecosystem Services: Is There a Business Case for Environmental Protection?" convenes an illustrious panel of speakers representing the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors to answer questions surrounding the complex relationships between environment and economics. an illustrious panel will showcase what industry is doing to preserve profits by preserving ecosystems and how government policy and civil society groups can encourage this trend.

Panelists:

• Jessica Fox, Director, Ecosystem Assets Program, Electric Power Research Institute
• Craig Hanson, Deputy Director, People and Ecosystems, World Resources Institute
• Michael Jenkins, President and CEO, Forest Trends
• Hon. Mark Rey, Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Sheryl A. Telford, Business Team Manager, DuPont Corporate Remediation Group
• Mark Tercek, Director, Environmental Markets Initiative, Goldman Sachs

Background:

The environment provides the basic underpinnings of the modern economy: energy, fiber, clean water, feedstocks, medicines, waste recycling, and more. Yet around the world, many ecosystems and the services they offer are threatened with collapse. The lessons from history are daunting: From Babylonia to Easter Island, thriving civilizations fell as they destroyed the natural environments that sustained them. Today, issues like climate change, habitat destruction, and water shortages are worldwide threats. In the short term, looming problems are already showing up on corporate bottom lines as they lose services that have long been taken for granted.

Unfortunately, laws protecting ecosystems are weak and ineffectual. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act addresses one species at a time, and engages business mostly as an adversary. The Clean Water Act requires ecosystem protection to ensure the biological health and purity of receiving waters but provides few tools beyond forcing plants to limit some discharges. Even with improvements, government regulation of industry alone may never be enough to protect the natural systems on which society depends. Because businesses utilize ecosystem services on a day-to-day basis, they are in a prime position to respond to these challenges - if firms have the right information and the right incentives. Progressive companies are already working with government agencies and NGOs to protect and enhance the most basic and valuable assets of all. In prospect is a revolution in environmental protection.

Is there a business case for protecting ecosystem services? What legal and policy changes will be necessary to have natural capital reflected in corporate balance sheets and in governments' economic analyses? How can business's entrepreneurial instincts be harnessed in the name of environmental quality?

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Coffee and refreshments 3:30 pm
Panel discussion: 4:00 to 5:30 pm

WHERE:
Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Click here for directions

RSVP:
This event is free and open to the public and the press, but the courtesy of an RSVP will be appreciated. To reserve a seat, please email mcmurrin@eli.org

The Environmental Law Institute strengthens environmental protection through improving law and governance worldwide. ELI delivers timely, insightful, and impartial analysis to opinion makers, including government officials, environmental and business leaders, and journalists. ELI is a clearinghouse and a town hall, providing common ground for debate on important environmental issues.

Contact Info:

Brett Kitchen
Tel: 202-939-3833

Website : The Environmental Law Institute