Description
Book SynopsisThe debate on the physical limits and constraints to the economic growth of globalized society is now widespread. This book explores the physical and economic aspects of the conflict between humans, with their thoughtless focus on growth through material production, and environmental constraints.
In the context of the looming shortage of material resources and the latest science on climate change, Physical Limits to Economic Growth offers new insights which provide a broad and comprehensive picture of the conflict between humans and environmental constraints. The authors' approach goes beyond the boundaries of specialized disciplines to explore climate change, resource depletion, technical innovation and the interactions between these within the socio-economic-institutional systems we live in. This volume looks at opportunities for rethinking these systems if we moved away from fossil fuel dependence, while considering the status of current mainstream economic thinking
Table of Contents
Introduction, 1. The Limits to Material Resources Ugo Bardi, 2. Global Climate Change Stefano Caserini, 3. Limits for a growing complexity system Angelo Tartaglia, 4. Depletion vs. Innovation: The Fundamental Question of Sustainability Joseph A. Tainter, Deborah Strumsky, Temis G. Taylor, Michelle Arnold, José Lobo, 5. Strategies for an Economy Facing Energy Constraints Ian Schindler and Julia Schindler, 6. Limits to Material Growth and Economics: Ecological Conditions and Values and the Core Components of Economic Theories Roberto Burlando, Conclusions
