Animal capital: a new way to define human-animal bond in view of global changes

Abstract

We propose a new conceptual framework called "animal capital" to recognize the contribution of animals to human society beyond their immediate material value. Humans directly or indirectly depend on 50,000 of the approximately eight million animal species on Earth, but in their daily lives, they only interact with a dozen species at most. This limited interaction weakens the stability of current civilizations and contributes to the decline of biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity increases the risk of ecosystem destabilization, higher food insecurity, and pandemic outbreaks. global economic system fails to correctly value the benefits of biodiversity, leading to suboptimal investment in animal protection. Therefore, recognizing the social contribution of non-human animals is crucial for their survival and the survival of humankind. We propose four components of animal capital: material, natural, social, and cultural, which can be linked to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The material animal capital refers to the products of animals, such as food production and clothing. The natural capital refers to the ecological services provided by animals, such as pollination and pest control. The social capital recognizes the emotional and psychological benefits of animals, such as companionship and emotional support. The cultural capital acknowledges the cultural and historical significance of animals, such as their role in art and literature. We argue that recognizing the contribution of animals to society through the framework of animal capital can lead to more optimal investment in animal protection and conservation. It can also contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as the reduction of poverty and hunger, the promotion of good health and well-being, and the protection of life on land.