VoxDev Development Economics cover image

VoxDev Development Economics

S6 Ep6: The economics of ecosystems

Feb 12, 2025
Eyal Frank, a Professor at the University of Chicago, dives into the intricate relationship between economics and conservation. He explores how economic growth often diminishes ecosystems. Eyal highlights the severe impact of an invasive fungus on bat populations and its ripple effects on agriculture and public health. He also discusses the troubling decline of India's vultures due to toxic medications, resulting in significant human health crises. Lastly, he sheds light on the consequences of desert locust swarms, affecting food security and children’s health.
36:08

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Economic growth often occurs at the expense of ecosystem health, which poses significant threats to human well-being and biodiversity.
  • The decline of specific species, such as vultures and bats, underscores the intricate connection between ecosystem health and public health outcomes.

Deep dives

The Interconnection of Economics and Natural Habitats

Economic development often neglects the importance of natural habitats, highlighting a significant disconnect between ecosystem health and human well-being. Many economic models do not consider ecosystems as critical variables, leading to a lack of emphasis on the biodiversity crisis. This oversight is particularly detrimental as the health of ecosystems directly influences various aspects of human life, such as agriculture and public health. Addressing this disconnect requires acknowledging that species and their roles in ecosystems cannot easily be replaced by man-made alternatives.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode