Ecological economics

Core Schools Of Thought

Various competing schools of thought exist within the field ranging from mainstream resource economists to radical social-ecological degrowth movements. Clive Spash has argued for classifying the movement into three main categories: new resource economists, new environmental pragmatists, and more radical social ecological economists. International survey work comparing these categories shows clear divisions between environmental and ecological economists. A growing field of radical social-ecological theory is degrowth economics which addresses biophysical limits and global inequality. Degrowth prioritizes grassroots initiatives in progressive socio-ecological goals while adhering to ecological limits by shrinking the human ecological footprint. It involves an equitable downscale in production and consumption of resources to respect physical boundaries. Some degrowth theorists call for an exit of the economy entirely. Critics include new resource economists who point to gaining momentum of sustainable development. These critics highlight positive aspects of green economies including equitable access to renewable energy. Examples of heterodox experiments include the Catalan Integral Cooperative and Solidarity Economy Networks in Italy. Both use communitarian based economies and consciously reduce their ecological footprint through regenerative agriculture. E.F. Schumacher introduced non-western economic ideas in his book Small Is Beautiful where he addressed neoliberal economics through Buddhist natural harmony.

Common questions

When did the first organized meetings of ecological economists occur and where were they held?

The first organized meetings of ecological economists occurred in 1982 at a gathering held in Sweden. Lois Banner instigated this event bringing together Robert Costanza, Herman Daly, Charles Hall, Bruce Hannon, H.T. Odum, and David Pimentel.

Who are the key historical figures associated with the intellectual roots of ecological economics?

Ecological economics traces its intellectual roots back to the Romantics of the nineteenth century and Enlightenment political economists like Thomas Malthus. Karl Marxian economist Sergei Podolinsky attempted to theorize a labor theory of value based on embodied energy in 1880 while Otto Neurath developed an ecological approach based on natural economy while employed by the Bavarian Soviet Republic in 1919.

What is the total estimated monetary value of ecosystem services determined by Costanza and colleagues in 1997?

A study led by Costanza and colleagues determined the value of services provided by the environment averaged per hectare numbers for wetlands oceans totaling thirty-three trillion US dollars representing 1997 values exceeding total global GDP twice over.

How does ecological economics differ from neoclassical economics regarding the relationship between the economy and nature?

Ecological economics distinguishes itself from neoclassical economics by asserting that the economy is embedded within an environmental system. Neoclassical views ignore much what natural sciences teach about nature contributions to wealth creation including planetary endowment of scarce matter and energy along with complex biologically diverse ecosystems providing goods directly.

When did the United Nations Environment Programme further develop its definition of green economy referring to resourceful well organized impartial economies?

The United Nations Environment Programme defines green economy focusing human aspects natural influences generating high salary jobs and its definition developed further in 2011 referring to resourceful well organized impartial economies shifting toward low carbon resource efficiency social inclusion.

Ecological economics.

Core Schools Of Thought

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