Thermodynamic constraints on the economic systems and operational principles for a sustainable society Online publication date: Wed, 11-Oct-2006
by Yasuhiko Ogushi
International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment (IJEWE), Vol. 2, No. 2/3, 2006
Abstract: The significance of thermodynamic constraints on the economic system, along with finite biophysical resources on the earth, has drawn profound implications for energy and material policy and management. This paper aims at identifying the compatibility between two different frameworks for a sustainable society that have emerged from thermodynamic principles. The first is the concept of the Steady-State Economy, which emphasises the need for constant populations of humans and artefacts maintained by the lowest feasible flow of resources. The second is the Systems Conditions of The Natural Step, which addresses how we manage resource extraction and pollution, but without explicitly addressing the concept of the steady state. I show that these two frameworks are compatible with dynamic system considerations, and that sustainable societies achieved through these two frameworks are likely to have the same characteristics.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment (IJEWE):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook