[Full Interview] Money: In Service of Nature? - with Eric Smith
Aug 30, 2022
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Eric Smith, Founder/CEO of Edacious and a pioneer in climate finance, shares his vast experience at the intersection of economics and nature. He discusses the challenges of valuing nature without commodifying it and emphasizes the importance of holistic investment strategies that support ecological preservation. Smith also delves into the complexities of regenerative agriculture, exploring the balance between economic growth and ecological values. He advocates for sustainable practices and the empowerment of producers within the food supply chain.
The podcast emphasizes that traditional financial mechanisms often fail to capture the intrinsic and complex value of nature essential for survival.
Catalytic impact investing is highlighted as a vital strategy that balances financial returns with significant ecological benefits in investment decisions.
A shift from extractive economies to regenerative models is crucial for improving ecological health while sustaining livelihoods and empowering local food producers.
Deep dives
Reorienting Finance to Support Nature
The discussion centers on whether financial mechanisms can effectively support ecological systems that have historically suffered from exploitation. It is acknowledged that traditional market approaches cannot fully capture the profound and complex value of nature, which remains essential for human survival and the economy. Capital is not inherently designed to foster a deeper appreciation or love for nature, and a word of caution is issued against commoditizing natural resources as a solution for conservation. The challenge lies in finding a balance where finance supports nature without further commodifying it, acknowledging that while markets can aid in conservation efforts, they cannot replace the intrinsic value of ecosystems.
The Role of Catalytic Impact Investing
The conversation highlights the importance of catalytic impact investing, which seeks to balance financial returns with ecological benefits. Investments are prioritized based on their potential to effect systemic change, particularly in preserving and restoring ecological states. Specific investment strategies include supporting innovative startups that address climate change and engage in practices like biodiversity markets and payments for ecosystem services. By understanding that investment decisions impact ecological outcomes, investors can align their capital with projects that genuinely contribute to environmental sustainability.
Navigating Investment Decisions with an Ecological Lens
The importance of adopting an ecological perspective when making investment decisions is underscored, as it allows for a more nuanced approach to environmental challenges. Investors are encouraged to ask critical questions about the long-term impacts of their investments on ecosystems and communities. Drawing from personal experiences in forestry, the conversation emphasizes the value of being grounded in ecological realities and engaging directly with natural systems and local stakeholders. This firsthand understanding can guide more informed investment choices that prioritize regenerative practices over extractive models.
Transitioning from Extractive to Regenerative Economies
The necessity of transitioning from extractive economies to regenerative models is a crucial point in the discussion. A clear distinction is made between the current economic challenges and the need for practical solutions that improve ecological health while sustaining human livelihoods. The conversation acknowledges the realities of existing agricultural practices that, while extractive, still play a vital role in feeding the population. A focus on gradual transformation towards regenerative practices is suggested, emphasizing that immediate, wholesale changes may not be feasible given the complexities of global food systems.
Empowering Local Producers in the Food System
The dialogue touches on the vital role of local producers in the food system and the urgent need to empower them to enhance ecological restoration and health. A fundamental principle discussed is the redistribution of wealth back to those who manage the land, ensuring that they have the resources to invest in sustainable practices. This approach challenges the commodity-based system that often undermines producers, suggesting that restoring power to them is essential for regenerating ecosystems. Such transformations are fundamental for achieving long-term ecological integrity and sustainable food systems.
Eric Smith has spent his career working at the intersection of economics and nature.
Most recently he was the director of the venture capital vehicle Neglected Climate Opportunities (NCO) at the Grantham Environmental Trust, where he co-led over 40 direct investments in start-ups across all stages that can remove carbon and GHG at scale.
He was previously with SJF Ventures and worked for BlackRock on climate finance, and currently is Founder/CEO of Edacious, a company working to differentiate food quality and connect the dots between soil and human health.
Eric is also a dear friend and someone with whom I often converse on our shared focus of investing on behalf of nature.
We were both in Mexico for a climate investing conference and caught up, beachside sand rolling in, on everything from:
His personal background in forestry and building certification frameworks around natural resource operations;
Working in Costa Rica on their Payment for Ecosystem Services model;
The tensions in regenerative agriculture and nature conservation;
Why he supports EO Wilson’s Half Earth theory;
If narrow metrics can ever be proxy enough for the complexity of a system;
The intrinsic vs economic values of nature;
Examples of start-ups and nature-serving businesses, and which ones are not suited for a venture capital model;