ISSN:
1573-7810
Keywords:
societal metabolism
;
labor productivity
;
sustainability
;
bio-economic pressure
;
integrated assessment
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Sociology
Notes:
Abstract This paper presents empirical data to validate two points. (1) An integrated analysis of societal metabolism bridges an economic view of changes in socioeconomic systems with a biophysical representation of them. To obtain this check, it compares a biophysical indicator of development BEP with 24 traditional indicators of material economic development. The comparison covers a sample of 107 countries of the world, comprising more than 90% of the total world population (year 1993). (2) The concept of societal metabolism is useful to make biophysical analysts aware of constraints implied by “economic viability” and to make economic analysts aware of constraints implied by “biophysical viability.” To prove this point three practical examples of misunderstanding in the field of sustainability analysis are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026695724208
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