Ebook: Integrating Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics

Economies are open systems embedded in an ecosystem with which they exchange matter and energy. Interactions among these systems are vital for each system's performance and are constrained by the laws of physics. This volume pays tribute to economy--environment interactions simultaneously from an economic, ecological and physical perspective.
Integrating Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics provides a first step in identifying and combining the principles of economics, ecology and thermodynamics on a fundamental level. Part I lays out the general context for the approach chosen. Part II familiarizes readers with core concepts of, and methods used in, the three disciplines of economics, ecology and thermodynamics. Part III assesses ways in which these disciplines can be integrated to provide an improved understanding of economy--environment interactions. Part IV illustrates the integration of the three disciplines with a dynamic model of a human community interacting with its environment. In Part V the volume closes with a brief summary and a set of conclusions on the relevance of integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to economy--environment interactions.

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Economies are open systems embedded in an ecosystem with which they exchange matter and energy. Interactions among these systems are vital for each system's performance and are constrained by the laws of physics. This volume pays tribute to economy--environment interactions simultaneously from an economic, ecological and physical perspective.
Integrating Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics provides a first step in identifying and combining the principles of economics, ecology and thermodynamics on a fundamental level. Part I lays out the general context for the approach chosen. Part II familiarizes readers with core concepts of, and methods used in, the three disciplines of economics, ecology and thermodynamics. Part III assesses ways in which these disciplines can be integrated to provide an improved understanding of economy--environment interactions. Part IV illustrates the integration of the three disciplines with a dynamic model of a human community interacting with its environment. In Part V the volume closes with a brief summary and a set of conclusions on the relevance of integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to economy--environment interactions.

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Economies are open systems embedded in an ecosystem with which they exchange matter and energy. Interactions among these systems are vital for each system's performance and are constrained by the laws of physics. This volume pays tribute to economy--environment interactions simultaneously from an economic, ecological and physical perspective.
Integrating Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics provides a first step in identifying and combining the principles of economics, ecology and thermodynamics on a fundamental level. Part I lays out the general context for the approach chosen. Part II familiarizes readers with core concepts of, and methods used in, the three disciplines of economics, ecology and thermodynamics. Part III assesses ways in which these disciplines can be integrated to provide an improved understanding of economy--environment interactions. Part IV illustrates the integration of the three disciplines with a dynamic model of a human community interacting with its environment. In Part V the volume closes with a brief summary and a set of conclusions on the relevance of integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to economy--environment interactions.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics....Pages 3-14
Front Matter....Pages 15-15
Core Concepts in Neoclassical Economics....Pages 17-34
Core Concepts in Ecology....Pages 35-47
Core Concepts in Thermodynamics....Pages 48-60
Front Matter....Pages 61-61
Integrating Core Concepts of Thermodynamics into Economics....Pages 63-75
Ecology and Thermodynamics....Pages 76-91
Economics and Ecology....Pages 92-110
Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics....Pages 111-125
Front Matter....Pages 127-127
Thermodynamic Implications for Nonrenewable Resource Extraction with Endogenous Technical Change....Pages 129-163
A Comprehensive Model of Economy-Environment Interactions....Pages 164-197
Front Matter....Pages 199-199
Methodology and Findings....Pages 201-208
Back Matter....Pages 209-252

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Economies are open systems embedded in an ecosystem with which they exchange matter and energy. Interactions among these systems are vital for each system's performance and are constrained by the laws of physics. This volume pays tribute to economy--environment interactions simultaneously from an economic, ecological and physical perspective.
Integrating Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics provides a first step in identifying and combining the principles of economics, ecology and thermodynamics on a fundamental level. Part I lays out the general context for the approach chosen. Part II familiarizes readers with core concepts of, and methods used in, the three disciplines of economics, ecology and thermodynamics. Part III assesses ways in which these disciplines can be integrated to provide an improved understanding of economy--environment interactions. Part IV illustrates the integration of the three disciplines with a dynamic model of a human community interacting with its environment. In Part V the volume closes with a brief summary and a set of conclusions on the relevance of integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to economy--environment interactions.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics....Pages 3-14
Front Matter....Pages 15-15
Core Concepts in Neoclassical Economics....Pages 17-34
Core Concepts in Ecology....Pages 35-47
Core Concepts in Thermodynamics....Pages 48-60
Front Matter....Pages 61-61
Integrating Core Concepts of Thermodynamics into Economics....Pages 63-75
Ecology and Thermodynamics....Pages 76-91
Economics and Ecology....Pages 92-110
Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics....Pages 111-125
Front Matter....Pages 127-127
Thermodynamic Implications for Nonrenewable Resource Extraction with Endogenous Technical Change....Pages 129-163
A Comprehensive Model of Economy-Environment Interactions....Pages 164-197
Front Matter....Pages 199-199
Methodology and Findings....Pages 201-208
Back Matter....Pages 209-252
....