ENERGY
Natural Energy Source (Renewable Inputs)
Natural energy sources, such as the sun, wind, and geothermal heat, represent the renewable stocks of this foundational energy. These are not merely “fuels” to be exploited; rather, they are integral components of natural capital that must be stewarded. Valuing them through the consensus system means assessing their availability, renewability, and the multiple services they provide—such as climate regulation, photosynthesis, and hydrological cycles—across entire landscapes and communities.
Phase-Change Energy (Ecological Processes and Feedbacks)
The transformation of energy through phase changes (e.g., water evaporating and condensing) catalyzes essential ecological functions—nutrient cycling, habitat formation, weather dynamics, and resource distribution. By incorporating the importance of phase-change energy into valuation, we account for the subtle yet critical shifts that maintain ecosystem stability, ensuring that natural capital assessments capture the true complexity of energy flows.
Provide Life Energy Resource (Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)
Ultimately, the purpose of sustaining and correctly valuing these energy processes is to ensure life’s continued vitality. When we preserve and restore natural energy sources and acknowledge the role of phase-change dynamics, we secure the flow of “life energy”—the tangible and intangible benefits ecosystems provide. These include food, clean water, breathable air, and cultural services, all of which support human health, economic resilience, and social equity.
