Nature’s Fortune Book Summary - Nature’s Fortune Book explained in key points

Nature’s Fortune summary

Mark R. Tercek and Jonathan S. Adams

How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature

4.4 (10 ratings)
15 mins

Brief summary

'Nature's Fortune' by Mark R. Tercek and Jonathan S. Adams is a compelling read that highlights the economic benefits of preserving nature. The authors explore the link between healthy ecosystems and sustainable economic growth, providing valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders and anyone interested in achieving a healthier, more prosperous planet.

Table of Contents

    Nature’s Fortune
    Summary of 8 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 8

    Nature provides services similar to human-built infrastructure.

    When we are confronted by dirty water what do we do? We build a sewage plant. When we are faced with a persistently flooding river we contain it with levees. In short, when nature provides us with a problem, we build man-made infrastructure to combat it.

    What’s more, we tend to take all this modern infrastructure for granted. So let’s just take some time to look and consider why we build them in the first place.

    We primarily set up infrastructure in order to access various services.

    For instance, dams and levees provide the service of shielding us against droughts and floods, and sewage and filtration plants provide safe and clean water in our homes and workplaces.

    All the pieces of infrastructure mentioned above are examples of human or gray infrastructure, so-called because it is usually made of concrete.

    The Hoover Dam, for example, is the largest water reservoir in the United States and consists of 3.3 million cubic metres of concrete. Just for scale, this is the same quantity that would be needed to construct nearly 40 Wembley Stadiums.

    But nature already provides us with a kind of green infrastructure that does the same job – lakes and reservoirs are naturally created bodies of water that do the same as a huge man-made dam.

    Green infrastructure can provide services to filter water, break down contaminants and store excessive water for use in dryer times. Remarkably, our coral reefs can even provide protection against flooding, as they break down waves before they get a chance to hit the land.

    You can see, then, that we already have many of the kinds of infrastructures we need to thrive in place on our planet.

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    What is Nature’s Fortune about?

    Nature’s Fortune (2013) challenges our views on economic development and the environment. Drawing on research about the ways we work with and against nature, nature lover and former investment banker Mark Tercek presents a compelling case for investment in green infrastructure, and shows us how economic growth and conservation can benefit each other.

    Nature’s Fortune Review

    Nature’s Fortune (2013) is a thought-provoking book that highlights the economic value of natural resources and the importance of protecting our planet. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • The book provides a comprehensive understanding of how nature and conservation contribute to human well-being and economic prosperity.
    • Backed by scientific research and real-life examples, it presents a compelling argument for incorporating nature into our economic decision-making.
    • With its fascinating insights into the intersection of nature and economics, the book manages to make an often overlooked subject engaging and enlightening.

    Best quote from Nature’s Fortune

    Sustainability is moving from a fringe concern to a core focus of business decision-making.

    —Mark R. Tercek and Jonathan S. Adams
    example alt text

    Who should read Nature’s Fortune?

    • Environmentalists
    • Skeptics who think that economic growth and good environmental practice cannot co-exist
    • Anyone who works for a company that deals mainly in natural resources

    About the Author

    Mark Tercek is CEO of The Nature Conservancy, an American charitable environmental organization. Prior to this, he was a managing director and partner at Goldman Sachs.

    Jonathan Adams is a conservation biologist, author of The Future of the Wild and co-author of The Myth of Wild Africa.

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    Nature’s Fortune FAQs 

    What is the main message of Nature’s Fortune?

    The main message of Nature’s Fortune is that protecting and investing in nature is essential for sustainable economic growth.

    How long does it take to read Nature’s Fortune?

    The reading time for Nature’s Fortune varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Nature’s Fortune a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Nature’s Fortune is definitely worth reading. It highlights the economic value of nature and the importance of conservation in an engaging and informative way.

    Who is the author of Nature’s Fortune?

    The authors of Nature’s Fortune are Mark R. Tercek and Jonathan S. Adams.

    What to read after Nature’s Fortune?

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