A Review of the Book Junglenomics
Reviewed by: Adisha Kariyawasam
My Overall Rating: A super, informative and topical read!
“Junglenomics: Nature’s solutions to the world environment crisis: a new paradigm for the twenty-first century and beyond”
Date read: 25 October 2019
To borrow a phrase from the preface of the book, we are fast approaching the 'last chance saloon'. Junglenomics is a complex, majestic book that not only is vast in scope but gives a clear, optimistic and persuasive account of how we can contribute to the rescue of our planet which has undergone such wilful neglect for so long.
The author, Simon Lamb, began this study some two decades ago based on the premise that the universe must have a rational, scientific explanation.
Junglenomics or 'Ecosystem Economics' explains how nature's blueprint must be applied to the economic world without delay so it can be guided to safety through amongst other things, the reformation environmentally destructive behaviour and markets.
The book is divided into 5 parts which logically follow on from each other and briefly summarised below:
PART 1. The economic Avatar
This is an in-depth survey of our journey so far from hunter-gatherer to agricultural coloniser.
PART 2. The natural world - new ways to end destruction.
This section discusses agriculture, the single biggest threat to land based species worldwide. Shocking statistics are brought to the fore e.g. in the time that you read the book, some ninety thousand acres of rainforest would have been felled! To counteract this there are programmes such as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) and REDD+ which promotes sustainable forest management, FME (Free Market Environmentalism) a market approach to environmental problem.
PART 3. The wildlife and Wilderness Conflict.
This section discusses how large-scale poaching and illicit trades and environmental overexploitation can be counterbalanced by economic entities. Examples include Community-based conservation programmes such as CAMPFIRE Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources whose primary interest is in restoring and protecting threatened species and environments. In terms of aquaculture, there are systems such as RA (Recirculating Aquaculture System) which represents the future of fish farming.
PART 4. The Great Valuation Divide.
The developed world’s relationship with nature needs to be reinvented, bearing in mind that the true value of Nature and Natural assets and resources is essential to all conservation strategies. Not only management costs but the costs of extent of protection and “opportunity costs” need to be considered. These Opportunity Costs present a dilemma if particular choices are made and this is further explored in the text. The upshot of which these costs must be fully considered and evaluated in any cost-benefit calculation preceding any proposed development which could potentially negatively impact the environment. Careful consideration needs to be made to understand what Biodiversity Off-sets that need to be in place. There is also a discussion on Biodiversity Banking options and how they differ from a regular bank and alignment of the interests of farming and nature.
PART 5. Delivering Change.
Change needs to be embraced. Especially if the alternative is disaster! As part of this change is the requirement for economists and ecologists to collaborate, without entering into blame games and playing into the politics of self-interest.
In summary, I strongly recommend people from all walks of life, not just those in power, read this book. We are living in a time of great opportunity and this book offers hope at a time of much chaos and disturbing complacency from many sectors of society. Our need for economic and ecological change is much more urgent than ever before. This book will help you recognise the opportunities to find the courage to grasp valuable opportunities to not only help us but make the world a better place for our children and future generations.
“We are the problem, yet within us lies the solution -
if only we have the understanding, the will, and imagination to find it”
It is very clear that the author Simon M. Lamb has channelled a phenomenal effort into creating this book and he presents his discussions clearly and eloquently. Therefore , I have no hesitation in awarding this book a thoroughly well-deserved five stars!
Do check out the following website to find out more about the book and the rationale behind its creation:
Further Reading:
1. An Introduction to Junglenomics, S.M.Lamb (Published: 27 June 2019)
2. Nature's Blueprint, S.M.Lamb Published: (05 July 2019)
3. Saving the Planet: it’s all about Markets, S.M.Lamb (Published: 19 August 2019)
