The Australian government has released its second set of National Ecosystem Accounts, which assign dollar values to natural services like carbon storage and water provision. The data shows that in 2021-22, carbon-retaining forests and grasslands stored 34.6 billion tonnes of carbon, valued at 59.5 billion dollars. These accounts aim to integrate environmental health into economic decision-making and urban planning. While the data highlights the economic benefits of mangroves and freshwater, it also tracks rising ocean temperatures and an increase in critically endangered species.
