The Reboot Development (The Economics of a Livable Planet)

Reboot Development: The Economics of a Livable Planet explores how the foundational endowments of land, air, and water--long taken for grante--are now under growing threat, putting at risk the very progress they helped create. For generations, these natural systems have powered development, supporting health, food, energy, and economic opportunity. But today, the strains on these systems are intensifying. This report argues that maintaining a livable planet is not merely an environmental concern, but an economic necessity. Drawing on new data and analysis, the report reveals how nature’s decline is reshaping economic outcomes. The loss of natural forests dries soils, reduces rainfall, and weakens resilience to drought; disrupting food and energy production and costing billions in lost output. The nitrogen paradox is laid bare: while synthetic fertilizers have boosted food production, inefficient overuse use now harms yields and pollutes ecosystems. And the silent toll of air pollution on health, productivity, and cognitive performance continues to mount. These costs are often hidden, but as the report shows, they are too large to ignore. Yet the message is not one of constraint but of possibility. The wealth of nature is a source of prosperity. When stewarded wisely, it can drive growth, create jobs, and enhance resilience. The report outlines a pragmatic agenda for action.