Focuses on a key aspect of ecological economics, natural capital, in the context of sustainable development. This title uses real-world examples and case studies to describe what natural capital does. It gives a brief history of the origins of conventional economic wisdom and critiques it from the standpoint of ecological economics.
The concept of natural capital, when it is intelligently linked to the concepts of human and manufactured capital, provides the critical nexus between the satisfaction of human needs and the preservation - some might even suggest the restoration - of our living systems. Natural Capital and Human Economic Survival explains what natural capital is and does, and how it is threatened. It also proposes some revenue-neutral policy options that could restructure the economic system to encourage investment in natural capital. Such policies would work, in part, by properly valuing natural capital resources and services. By helping to "get the prices right" within the context of sustainable ecosystems and a fair distribution of resurces, they would promote true economic efficiency, equity and sustainability. This book is part of the Ecological Economics series initiated by the International Society of Ecological Economics. TOC:Section 1: The Ecological Economics Perspective and Why It's Needed. The Origins of Our Economic Worldview. The Ecological Economics Perspective. Section 2: The Definition, Function and Valuation of Natural Capital. What Natural Capital Is and Does. Depletion and Valuation. Section 3: Managing Natural Capital for Sustainability. Investing in Natural Capital: Incentives and Obstacles. Some Investment Strategies. Afterword. Appendix: Some Tools for Personal and Community Action. Glossary. References. Index.
"In this second edition, excellent insights into the fields of ecological and environmental economics are provided?very readable and understandable publication?recommended for all readers, the general public and up, with an interest in the environment."-B.J. Peterson in Choice, December 1999 "Sustainability is a widely accepted ideal for investigating and managing natural resources, but disciplined efforts to make its core principles operational are rare. This book is exceptional in developing a common, analytic framework and language for investigating how human institutions interact with ecological systems."Sarah Michaels, School of Planning, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
