An Introduction to Ecological Economics
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Summary
Ecological economics is a way of rethinking the relationship between humans and the environment and working out the implications of how we manage our lives and the planet. An Introduction to Ecological Economics offers a starting point for undergraduate and graduate students and environmental professionals interested in this transdisciplinary field. Beginning in Section 1 with a description of some current problems in society and their underlying causes, Section 2 then takes a historical perspective to explain how world views regarding economics and ecology have evolved. Section 3 presents the fundamental principles of ecological economics, and Part 4 outlines and discusses a set of policies for creating a sustainable society as well as instruments that could be used to implement those policies. A conclusions section summarizes the main points of the book and proposes prospects for the future. Let An Introduction to Ecological Economics introduce you to important issues affecting our ecology, our economy, our world.
Table of Contents
Humanity's Current Dilemma
The Global Ecosystem and the Economic Subsystem
From Localized Limits to Global Limits
Population and Poverty
Beyond Brunt Land
Toward Sustainability
The Fragmentation of Economics and the Natural Sciences
The Historical Development of Economics and Ecology
The Early Codevelopment of Economics and Natural Science
Economics and Ecology Specialize and Separate
The Reintegration of Ecology and Economics
Problems and Principles of Ecological Economics
Sustainable Scale, Fair Distribution, and Efficient Allocation
Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Ecological Services
Substitutability vs. Complementarity of Natural, Human, and Manufactured Capital
Population and Carrying Capacity
Measuring Welfare and Well-Being
Valuation, Choice, and Uncertainty
Trade and Community
Policies, Institutions, and Instruments
The Need to Develop a Shared Vision of a Sustainable Society
History of Environmental Institutions and Instruments
Successes, Failures, and Remedies
Policy Instruments
Further Reading
References
Index
Editorial Reviews
"Ecological economics is arguably the single most important academic discipline today. Indeed, one of the most cheering events in the last decade or so has been the increasing cooperation of ecologists and economists, and the gradual reintegration of their disciplines. An Introduction to Ecological Economics provides students with the results of that cooperation, giving an excellent overview of ecological economics today."
-Paul R. Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies, Stanford University
"What a splendid overview of what will likely prove to be one of the most vital of all disciplines in the new millennium. Contrary to much conventional economics, the authors demonstrate-with splendid elan and massive documentation-that the global economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the planetary ecosystem. I have just one basic reaction: right on, write on."
-Norman Myers, Green College, Oxford University and Senior Fellow, World Wildlife Fund-U.S.
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