World Resources 2008 : roots of resilience-growing the wealth of the poor

Abstract

In World Resources 2005 we showed that ecosystems can become the focus of a powerful model for nature-based enterprise that delivers continuing economic and social benefits to die poor, even as it improves the natural resource base. Evidence shows that poor rural families empowered with secure resource rights can significantly increase their income stream from nature with prudent ecosystem management. To make this possible, a funda- mental shift in governance—in the power of the poor to access resources of value and build functional enterprises—is required.