The paper deals with the conditions of capital accumulation that can guarantee a sustainable pollution level and, consequently, a growing carrying capacity of the ecosphere for humankind. It follows an approach of ecological economics, utilising laws and models derived from the ecological...

The potential and limits of solar thermal power systems depend primarily on their capacity to meet electricity demand in mid-winter, and the associated cost, storage and other implications. Evidence on output and costs is analysed. Most attention is given to central receivers. Problems of low...

We study optimal sustainable policies in a benchmark logistic world (where both population and technological progress follow logistic laws of motion) subject to a pollution ceiling. The main policy in the hands of the benevolent planner is pollution abatement, ultimately leading to the control...

RESUME :Le but de cet article est d'étudier comment la naissance et la croissance d'une économie estsusceptible d'affecter le fonctionnement de son environnement modélisé sous la forme d'uncycle naturel. Afin de mettre en évidence les facteurs qui stabilisent le système formé par lecycle...

Purpose – An examination of the economy reveals it to be structured in ways that contradict generally accepted ethical values. This is primarily due to the narrowness of its principles, being focused on the maximisation of monetary costs and benefits and on the separation of the economic realm...

This paper discusses the development of environmental economics from the Industrial Revolution in Europe to today. Specifically, it comments on the general similarities and differences between the representatives of the schools of economic thought concerning the environment. Among others, the...

Traditional cost-benefit analysis is based on a number of assumptions found in neo-classical economics. The paper argues that these assumptions could be considered to be deeply flawed. It suggests that these assumptions include a belief in perpetual growth and result in a particular bias against...

The voice of the prophet has both disquieted the complacent and comfortable and provided direction for those willing to listen. I argue it is the environmental science community, and especially those engaged in ecological economics, sustainability analysis and climate change research, that are...

Oil and related products continue to be prime enablers of the maintenance and growth of nearly all of the world's economies. The dramatic increase in the price of oil through mid-2008, along with the coincident (and possibly resultant) global recession, highlight our continued vulnerability to...

There is a strong tendency for energy technologists and policy analysts to believe that energy demand can be met and associated problems including climate change can be solved, and to focus attention on finding the best technologies to achieve these goals. They tend not to be comfortable with...