ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relationships between the natural environment and poverty. It uses Costa Rica as a case study. First the chapter defines key terms such as environmental assets and ecosystem services. Then it presents an array of empirical evidence on how environmental conditions can worsen poverty. These conditions include desertification, deforestation, health impacts, and the wide-ranging effects of climate change. How the capabilities approach sheds light on poverty/environment relationships is next discussed. In addition to presenting a list of minimum environmental entitlements, the chapter explains the concepts of vulnerability clusters, recognition, and collective capabilities, and their application in the subsequent case studies. The case studies focus on: (1) Collective management of resources in community water systems; (2) Overlapping vulnerabilities of people living illegally on marginal lands; and (3) Adaptation and sustainable development through ecotourism. The chapter also examines the rights of indigenous people in relation to ecosystem services that support basic capabilities.
