Ecological Economics

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Ecological Economics Systems Thinking and
Practice Convergence, Divergence, Emergence and
Emergency
Sandrine Simon Open Systems Research Group OU
Sys Workshop 27th of January 2007
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OBJECTIVES of the DISCUSSION
- Explore the parallels between two
interdisciplinary approaches whose purposes seem
quite similar
- Initiate a dialogue between the two
approaches in order to understand STP
from a different angle identify areas of
potential complementarity try to
understand the trends and potential future of
systems thinking and practice
- Suggest ways of merging methods and concepts
in order to provide useful framework and tools to
respond to contemporary problems
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Proposed structure for our discussion
1. Ecological Economics definitions, history
and examples of applications
2. How does it compare with STP? Convergence and
divergence
3. Responses of holistic approaches to 21st
century problems - Emergence emergency
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Ecological Economics studies how ecosystems and
economic activity interrelate EE analyses the
dynamics of modern society and the roots of
these dynamics, hence focusing on
processes EE is a response to the dynamics of
society. To find such a response first requires
that one poses the right questions.
(Faber et al. 1998)
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The economic dimensions of ecological
economics?
CHREMATISTICS branch of political economy
relating to the manipulation of property and
wealth so as to maximise short term monetary
exchange value to the owner.
OIKONOMIA refers to the management of the
household, the administration of ones
patrimony, the careful management of resources
(Aristotle Greek definition of economics)
The turning point (Capra, 1982)
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The economy is one aspect of a whole ecological
and social fabric a living system composed of
human beings in continual interaction with one
another and with their natural resources, a
system in which members of a community exchange
goods and services, produce and distribute
material wealth, and define certain kinds of
value and certain kinds of scarcity (Capra, 1982
82)
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Ecological life-support systems
LIMITS to GROWTH concept
Human societies
SUSTAINABILITY concept
Economic sustainability focuses on the
integration of environmental considerations in
economic policy making, kept apart in the past,
their connections barely acknowledged in both
theory and practice.
An activity is socially sustainable if it
conforms with social norms these are based on
religion, tradition and customs have to do with
ethics, value systems, education and all other
aspects of group behaviour that are not
primarily motivated by economic considerations
Ecological integrity is maintained when
individuals and communities live in harmony with
natural systems
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• Purposes of Ecological economics
• Find ways of operationalising sustainability
  (tools, institutions/ actors, processes)
• - Make society change the way in which it defines
  and operate economic activities

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Areas of application What do ecological
economists work on?
Environmental resources accounting environmental
taxation Restoration measures and costs MCA
Sustainability indicators indexes of well-being
policy frameworks
Evaluation methods environmental ethics
Institutional reforms
Sustainable modes of production - indigenous
methods new technologies
Integrated land and water management
- biopiracy, fair and unfair trade, the
politics of environmental issues
Alternative approaches to conservation
environmental functioning and key / buffer
species
Consumption and lifestyles
Discourse analysis the psychology of
environmental debates
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Convergence Concepts Purposes History Main
researchers
Divergence Radicalism Methods Policy-making
applications Actors
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Some potential points of focus for discussion on
con/di -vergence
The hidden connections Learning and
communication processes The policy translation
dilemma Growth vs development debate measures
of success? Sustainability and systemicity The
preoccupation with measurement and the problems
of in-commensurability The inter-disciplinarity
of holistic approaches Theory vs practice
what/who learns from what/who?
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Emergence Radicalism? Methods? Integration in
policy-making? Actors?
Emergency - origins of the development of these
approaches (contexts) - way in which the need for
such approaches is evolving
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Contemporary (common?) areas of concern
Governance and participation (Environmental)
Security, risks and conflict management
Information and knowledge management Health
Globalisation Complexity Social justice