In Harvesting Sun Societies, solar energy, a form of renewable energy, is the
current natural capital. Solar energy resources are very high in the tropics, and this
high energy is mainly dispersed and transported through the water cycle and its
function.
Envelopment Mechanisms are described as follows (Fig. 6.17 right). Energy is
derived mainly from renewable sources (but not industrial-based high-technology
techniques for renewable energy (IHT-renewable energy)). In the tropics, as solar
energy is condensed in the water cycle and biomass, Harvesting Sun Societies should
use micro-hydropower and biomass energy. In particular, solar panel energy systems
are not suitable to the tropics, which experience heavy cloud cover, high humidity
and high temperatures, causing rot, land cover degradation by heavy rains, terrestrial
heating, and water stock losses. Therefore, the use of natural low-technology
techniques for renewable energy (NLT-renewable energy) is recommended; these
techniques are composed of micro-hydropower and biomass energy systems. The
high solar energy in the tropics operates the water–TREE–carbon linkage system.
The TREE model is an example of natural capital and includes the following
simplified forest functions: photosynthesis (solar panel), carbohydrate storage in
the trunk (battery), cooling by evapotranspiration (air conditioner), N 2 fixation
(N-fertilizer factory), and water storage in the soil (dam). TREEs supply energy
through biomass and charcoal (a material with condensed energy; biochar improves
the soil and carbon sequestration). TREEs are symbols of natural capital and are key
to the water–TREE–carbon linkage system. Thus, if solar panels and wind power are
introduced into the tropics, this IHT-renewable energy system will contribute to
environmental destruction, the serious negative effects of which will not compensate
for the small benefits provided by this renewable energy source. IHT-renewable
energy systems have a negative effect not only on the environment but also on the
economy in the tropics, because tropical countries must pay large amounts to
purchase the IHT-renewable energy facilities. As TREEs are a kind of natural
capital, it is difficult to convert them into money. Thus, TREEs are not like a material
resource; instead, they are defined as immaterial assets (i.e., natural capital). Natural
capital may be partially converted into cash, but the exchange is not equivalent to the
cash flow seen in capitalistic systems. Thus, Harvesting Sun Societies basically
depend on TREEs for the water–TREE–carbon linkage system. Harvesting Sun
Societies should enhance and enforce natural capital-based functions; carbonnegative systems can be achieved by NLT-renewable energy, which use energy
from biomass and micro-hydropower systems, and carbon sequestration from
biochar, which is a biproduct of NLT-renewable energy. As a result, as excess
solar energy is included in natural capital and is stored in soils, this entire system
is driven by what we call Envelopment Mechanisms, contrasting with Development
Mechanisms. We must design a tropical society that uses Envelopment Mechanisms,
as this would guarantee livelihoods and provide self-sustaining food and energy
resources, and then develop innovative value chains, including new investment
opportunities for natural capital based on the Envelopment Mechanisms.
6 Natural Capital-Based Societies in the Tropics
239
current natural capital. Solar energy resources are very high in the tropics, and this
high energy is mainly dispersed and transported through the water cycle and its
function.
Envelopment Mechanisms are described as follows (Fig. 6.17 right). Energy is
derived mainly from renewable sources (but not industrial-based high-technology
techniques for renewable energy (IHT-renewable energy)). In the tropics, as solar
energy is condensed in the water cycle and biomass, Harvesting Sun Societies should
use micro-hydropower and biomass energy. In particular, solar panel energy systems
are not suitable to the tropics, which experience heavy cloud cover, high humidity
and high temperatures, causing rot, land cover degradation by heavy rains, terrestrial
heating, and water stock losses. Therefore, the use of natural low-technology
techniques for renewable energy (NLT-renewable energy) is recommended; these
techniques are composed of micro-hydropower and biomass energy systems. The
high solar energy in the tropics operates the water–TREE–carbon linkage system.
The TREE model is an example of natural capital and includes the following
simplified forest functions: photosynthesis (solar panel), carbohydrate storage in
the trunk (battery), cooling by evapotranspiration (air conditioner), N 2 fixation
(N-fertilizer factory), and water storage in the soil (dam). TREEs supply energy
through biomass and charcoal (a material with condensed energy; biochar improves
the soil and carbon sequestration). TREEs are symbols of natural capital and are key
to the water–TREE–carbon linkage system. Thus, if solar panels and wind power are
introduced into the tropics, this IHT-renewable energy system will contribute to
environmental destruction, the serious negative effects of which will not compensate
for the small benefits provided by this renewable energy source. IHT-renewable
energy systems have a negative effect not only on the environment but also on the
economy in the tropics, because tropical countries must pay large amounts to
purchase the IHT-renewable energy facilities. As TREEs are a kind of natural
capital, it is difficult to convert them into money. Thus, TREEs are not like a material
resource; instead, they are defined as immaterial assets (i.e., natural capital). Natural
capital may be partially converted into cash, but the exchange is not equivalent to the
cash flow seen in capitalistic systems. Thus, Harvesting Sun Societies basically
depend on TREEs for the water–TREE–carbon linkage system. Harvesting Sun
Societies should enhance and enforce natural capital-based functions; carbonnegative systems can be achieved by NLT-renewable energy, which use energy
from biomass and micro-hydropower systems, and carbon sequestration from
biochar, which is a biproduct of NLT-renewable energy. As a result, as excess
solar energy is included in natural capital and is stored in soils, this entire system
is driven by what we call Envelopment Mechanisms, contrasting with Development
Mechanisms. We must design a tropical society that uses Envelopment Mechanisms,
as this would guarantee livelihoods and provide self-sustaining food and energy
resources, and then develop innovative value chains, including new investment
opportunities for natural capital based on the Envelopment Mechanisms.
6 Natural Capital-Based Societies in the Tropics
239