Shmelev S.E. Ecological Economics: Sustainability in Practice

Springer, 2012. — 267 p. 92 illus., 88 illus. in color. — ISBN: 940071971X, 9789400719729In a concise and crisp manner, this book presents the state of the art in ecological economics, an interdisciplinary field focused on the analysis of sustainability of global, national and regional economic systems. An elegant guide, the book offers a range of cutting edge methods used in sustainability research including multicriteria decision aid (MCDA), input-output analysis, and life cycle analysis.
This book is packed with references for students with some background in economics, environmental science or mathematics who aim to develop the analytical skills required for redirecting our development path towards sustainability in government, international organisations, academia, non-profit sector and business. As such, the book is primarily aimed at MSc and first year PhD students reading for degrees in Environmental Change and Management, Ecological Economics, Environmental Management, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and those taking part in similar programmes.
The book strives to develop the idea that a significant adjustment of the current economic theories is required, an idea supported by the emerged world economic crisis, the climatic and biodiversity crisis the world is currently facing and the enormously slow progress that has been made in the field of reorientation of the global economy towards sustainability.
The practical case studies provided focus on the most pressing topics of today, and the book adopts a positive approach for problem solving and strategic development, which is aimed at educating the future decision makers and business leaders.
Keywords » ecological economics - input-output analysis - mathematical modelling - multi-criteria decision aid - sustainable developmentTheory of Ecological EconomicsThe Economic System and the Environment
Industrial Ecology: Material and Energy Flows, Life Cycle Analysis
The Big Picture Vision and the Environment: An International Perspective
Economic Valuation and Decision Making: MCDA as a tool for the Future
Macroeconomy: Market Failures and Externalities: What Can Be Done
Economic Models and the Environment: Input-Output Analysis
Sustainable Development: Measuring Progress
Ecological-Economic Applications
Climate Change and Renewable Energy: How to Choose the Optimal Pool of Technologies
Biodiversity Loss: New Methods for Evaluating Ecosystems
Sustainable Cities: Interdisciplinary Perspective
Regional Waste Management: Multicriteria Modelling
Business and Sustainable Development: CSR in Practice