Ecologic Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Ecologic Foundation (Ecologic Foundation Incorporated, also referred to as Ecologic) is an independent not-for-profit Think Tank
based in Nelson, New Zealand
focused on environmental policy
research and analysis
, consultancy and advocacy. Its Executive Director is Guy Salmon
who has been involved with the organisation in its various forms since the 1970s. Ecologic publishes a quarterly journal Ecologic which previously appeared under the title Maruia Pacific.
- a grassroots group in Auckland to protest against native forest logging - was formed. In 1975 a series of forest campaign groups joined together under the banner of the Native Forest Action Council
(NFAC), with the Maruia Declaration
as its manifesto.
The NFAC was the spearhead of native forest campaigns for twelve years. It contributed to an end to logging of indigenous State forests in the North Island; the signing of the West Coast Forests Accord, providing for preservation of wide areas and a phasing-down of wood harvest to a small-scale, sustainable yield on the West Coast; the abolition of the Forest Service, and the creation of the Department of Conservation; and extensive additions to the national park and reserve system.
In 1988 the organisation broadened to address a wider range of environmental concerns. To facilitate this, NFAC changed its name to become the Maruia Society
. Over the decade that followed, the Maruia Society played a major role in the development of, and later review of, the Resource Management Act 1991, developed a programme of conservation work in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia, and played a significant role in the development of the government’s policies on climate change, forestry, energy, transport and overseas development assistance. It also worked on the greening of leading businesses in the food, fishing, forestry, waste management, chemical, energy and building industries.
In 1999, the Maruia Society evolved into the Ecologic Foundation, adopting a new name and mission. Its focus is now on research, consultancy and advocacy, with expertise in market-based instruments
and Collaborative governance
, following its research project funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology on these issues between 2003 and 2007.
.
Sustainable progress can be claimed when measures of economic, ecological and ethical well-being are all improving together - and not otherwise.
Ecological well-being is thought to arise when people live in harmony with nature, and safeguard the interests of future generations, by sustaining fundamental natural processes over time. It is based on a respectful relationship with nature. This philosophy supports the careful use of natural resources for human benefit, but requires the avoidance of undue risk to ecosystems and their components, including humans.
Economic well-being is thought to be vital to enable fulfilment, opportunity, and freedom. Ecologic embraces the potentially positive roles of technology, innovation, economic growth and globalisation and seeks practical, enduring and least-cost solutions to the problems and challenges of the development process.
Ethical well-being is thought to be a characteristic of a society which affirms and develops the highest human qualities. A contemporary understanding of the character of an ethical society is one that shows and fosters respect for all people, considering their needs, values and interests; which cultivates mutuality, civility, personal integrity, openness, good faith, cultural expression, and respect for science and reason; and which links freedom with responsibility to others.
, the Executive Director, was a candidate for the National Party
at the 2002 elections and was formerly part of the Progressive Green Party (New Zealand)
.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
based in Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
focused on environmental policy
Environmental policy
Environmental policy is any [course of] action deliberately taken [or not taken] to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources, and ensuring that man-made changes to the environment do not have harmful effects on...
research and analysis
Policy analysis
Policy analysis is "determining which of various alternative policies will most achieve a given set of goals in light of the relations between the policies and the goals". However, policy analysis can be divided into two major fields. Analysis of policy is analytical and descriptive—i.e., it...
, consultancy and advocacy. Its Executive Director is Guy Salmon
Guy Salmon
Guy Winston Salmon is a New Zealand environmentalist.He is Executive director of the Ecologic Foundation, an independent policy think tank. He has been involved with this organisation in its various forms since the 1970s....
who has been involved with the organisation in its various forms since the 1970s. Ecologic publishes a quarterly journal Ecologic which previously appeared under the title Maruia Pacific.
History
Ecologic had its beginnings in the early days of the native forest conservation movement in New Zealand. In the early 1970s the Beech Forest Action CommitteeBeech Forest Action Committee
The Beech Forest Action Committee was an environmental organisation based in New Zealand.It was formed in the 1970s as a grassroots group in Auckland to protest against native forest logging. The group was not totally opposed to the logging but wished to see it done at a sustainable rate.The Beech...
- a grassroots group in Auckland to protest against native forest logging - was formed. In 1975 a series of forest campaign groups joined together under the banner of the Native Forest Action Council
Native Forest Action Council
Native Forest Action Council was an environmental organisation in New Zealand.It was formed in 1975 from what was the Beech Forest Action Committee to advocate for the protection of native forests and changed its name to the Maruia Society in 1988. The Maruia Society then became Ecologic...
(NFAC), with the Maruia Declaration
Maruia Declaration
The Maruia Declaration was a public petition calling for the immediate phasing out of the logging of virgin native forest in New Zealand.In 1977 environmental groups presented the petition to Parliament carrying 341,160 signatures. It repeated and expanded on previous recommendations in 1937 by...
as its manifesto.
The NFAC was the spearhead of native forest campaigns for twelve years. It contributed to an end to logging of indigenous State forests in the North Island; the signing of the West Coast Forests Accord, providing for preservation of wide areas and a phasing-down of wood harvest to a small-scale, sustainable yield on the West Coast; the abolition of the Forest Service, and the creation of the Department of Conservation; and extensive additions to the national park and reserve system.
In 1988 the organisation broadened to address a wider range of environmental concerns. To facilitate this, NFAC changed its name to become the Maruia Society
Maruia Society
The Maruia Society was an environmental organisation in New Zealand. "Maruia" means "sheltered valley" in the Maori language....
. Over the decade that followed, the Maruia Society played a major role in the development of, and later review of, the Resource Management Act 1991, developed a programme of conservation work in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia, and played a significant role in the development of the government’s policies on climate change, forestry, energy, transport and overseas development assistance. It also worked on the greening of leading businesses in the food, fishing, forestry, waste management, chemical, energy and building industries.
In 1999, the Maruia Society evolved into the Ecologic Foundation, adopting a new name and mission. Its focus is now on research, consultancy and advocacy, with expertise in market-based instruments
Market-based instruments
Market-based instruments are policy instruments that use price or other economic variables to provide incentives for polluters to reduce harmful emissions...
and Collaborative governance
Collaborative governance
Collaborative governance is a process and a form of governance in which participants representing different interests are collectively empowered to make a policy decision or make recommendations to a final decision-maker who will not substantially change consensus recommendations from the...
, following its research project funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology on these issues between 2003 and 2007.
Philosophy
Ecologic believes that all pathways to sustainability must respect and harmonise three sets of principles - those concerned with Ecology, Economy, and Ethics - the three Es of sustainabilitySustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
.
Sustainable progress can be claimed when measures of economic, ecological and ethical well-being are all improving together - and not otherwise.
Ecological well-being is thought to arise when people live in harmony with nature, and safeguard the interests of future generations, by sustaining fundamental natural processes over time. It is based on a respectful relationship with nature. This philosophy supports the careful use of natural resources for human benefit, but requires the avoidance of undue risk to ecosystems and their components, including humans.
Economic well-being is thought to be vital to enable fulfilment, opportunity, and freedom. Ecologic embraces the potentially positive roles of technology, innovation, economic growth and globalisation and seeks practical, enduring and least-cost solutions to the problems and challenges of the development process.
Ethical well-being is thought to be a characteristic of a society which affirms and develops the highest human qualities. A contemporary understanding of the character of an ethical society is one that shows and fosters respect for all people, considering their needs, values and interests; which cultivates mutuality, civility, personal integrity, openness, good faith, cultural expression, and respect for science and reason; and which links freedom with responsibility to others.
Political orientation
Ecologic is an independent organisation and not affiliated to any political party. However, politically the organisation is regarded by some as to the right of the mainstream of environmental groups in New Zealand due to its focus on market oriented policies and its links to the National Party in New Zealand. For instance, Guy SalmonGuy Salmon
Guy Winston Salmon is a New Zealand environmentalist.He is Executive director of the Ecologic Foundation, an independent policy think tank. He has been involved with this organisation in its various forms since the 1970s....
, the Executive Director, was a candidate for the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
at the 2002 elections and was formerly part of the Progressive Green Party (New Zealand)
Progressive Green Party (New Zealand)
The Progressive Green Party was an environmentalist political party in New Zealand. It was established as a "blue-green" party - that is, one which is environmentalist , but is economically right-wing rather than left-wing ....
.