如果企業不改變其營運和服務的模式，致使生態系統持續惡化，未來將遭遇原物料的缺乏、更高的營業成本、政府的制約以及逐漸減少的彈性等等難題。
這份警訊是由最新一期出版的刊物所提出，這份刊物是世界商業協會永續發展部門、歐洲看守地球、聯合國文教組織的世界保育聯盟，以及世界資源研究院共同出版。這份警告是依據聯合國千禧年生態系評估的全球科學事實與預測而得。
「生態挑戰及商業衝擊」這份研究報告針對水資源缺乏、氣候變遷、優養化、生物多樣性喪失、棲地變化、海洋超限開發等等方面，對商業未來有何影響提供相當詳細的檢驗。
報告警告企業必須面對這些風險，衡量其企業服務對生態系統的影響及依賴，掌握藉此獲利的商業機會，以及降低營運的生態足跡。
歐洲地球看守者執行長溫瑟（Nigel Winser）提到：「人類對自然環境的影響，已經使我們加快到達地球承載的極限，以合夥分工和轉變現行方式的企業，將會是解決此問題的方式之一」。
這份報告發現，如果企業在其依賴生態系服務及在其運作對自然資源運的影響上，能夠有系統地進行審視的話，企業可以化危機為轉機。
機關可以發展新科技及產品來作為代用品，減低耗費，維持生態系統或增加生態系統服務使用上的效率。他們可以界定及參與新市場運作規則，例如水質貿易、有認證的永續產品、溼地及瀕危物種的銀行業務等。生態系統的維護及環境資產財務經營管理，均可以變成新的商業型態活動。
然而，這份報告也發現多數公司或組織無法體認到健康的生態系統及自身商業利益間的關連。「領先的企業商業組織，已經慣於和最新的現實妥協，」華盛頓特區世界資源研究院人類與生態系專案負責人隆佳娜森（Janet Ranganathan）指出。「最新的現實便是，生態系統就快要無法生產出某些商業最重視的東西。」
Scarcity of raw materials, higher operating costs, government restrictions, and reduced flexibility are just some of the difficulties corporations will encounter if they do not change their operations to account for the ongoing degradation of ecosystems and the vital services they provide.
The warning comes in a new publication released on Monday, produced by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Earthwatch Institute Europe, IUCN-World Conservation Union, and the World Resources Institute, is based on global scientific facts and forecasts from the United Nations' multi-year Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
The study, "Ecosystem Challenges and Business Implications," offers a detailed examination of the implications that water scarcity, climate change, nutrient overloading, biodiversity loss, habitat change and the overexploitation of oceans will have for the future of business.
It warns companies to prepare for these risks by measuring their impact and dependence on ecosystem services, taking advantage of emerging business opportunities and reducing their operational footprints.
"Human impact on the natural environment has quickly led us to the limits of the earth’s carrying capacity," says Nigel Winser, executive director of Earthwatch Institute Europe from his office in Oxford, England. "Business, working in partnerships and by transforming current practices, must be part of the solution."
Businesses can turn these difficulties into opportunities, the report finds, if they will conduct systematic reviews of their dependence on ecosystem services and the impacts their operations have on natural resources.
Corporations can develop new technologies and products that will serve as substitutes, reduce degradation, restore ecosystems or increase efficiency of ecosystem service use. They can identify and participate in new markets such as water quality trading, certified sustainable products, wetland banking and threatened species banking. They can engage in new businesses such as ecosystem restoration and environmental asset finance or brokerage.
However, the report finds that most companies fail to recognize the link between healthy ecosystems and their business interests. "Leading businesses have always adapted to new realities," said Janet Ranganathan, director of the People and Ecosystems Program at the World Resources Institute, based in Washington, DC. "The new reality is that ecosystems are losing their ability to produce some of what businesses value most."
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
