Abstract
In this paper we present several concepts related to integrated analysis of societal metabolism across scales. First we introduce the concept of “dynamic energy budget” of human societies, which is based on the distinction between exosomatic and endosomatic energy flows and the possibility of establishing autocatalytic loops (egg-chicken patterns) among them. Second, we discuss the nature of the dramatic changes that the industrial revolution induced on the characteristics of societal metabolism. Finally, we discuss methodological problems related to the representation of complex adaptive systems. Dealing with sustainability of human societies requires the parallel use of non-equivalent descriptive domains. This, in turn, requires the ability of “scaling up and down” when moving across levels handling parallel non-reducible assessments.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
FAO Agricultural Statistics (2000). Http://apps.fao.org/cgi-bin/nph-db.pl?subset=agriculture.
Georgescu-Roegen, N. (1971). The entropy law and the economic process. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Georgescu-Roegen, N. (1975). Energy and economic myths. Southern Economic Journal 41, 347–381.
Giampietro, M. (1994). Using hierarchy theory to explore the concept of sustainable development.Future 26(6), 616–625.
Giampietro, M. (1997a). The link between resources, technology and standard of living: A theoretical model. In: L. Freese (Ed.), Advances in Human Ecology, Volume 6, pp. 73–128., Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
Giampietro, M. (1997b). Socioeconomic pressure, demographic pressure, environmental loading and technological changes in agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 65, 201–229.
Giampietro, M. (forthcoming). Complexity and Scales: the challenge for integrated assessment.In Jan Rotmans & Marjolein van Asselt (Eds.) Scaling issues in integrated assessment.Concerted Action—European Forum for Environmental Integrated Assessment. http://www.icis.unimaas.nl/Matrix/.
Giampietro, M. & Pimentel, D. (1990). Assessment of the energetics of human labor. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 32, 257–272.
Giampietro, M. & Pimentel, D. (1991). Energy Efficiency: assessing the interaction between humans and their environment. Ecological Economics 4, 117–144.
Giampietro, M. & Mayumi, K. (2000). Jevons' paradox, Scaling in Societal Metabolism and the fairy tale of Kuznets curves. Paper presented at the 3rd Biennial conference of the European Society for Ecological Economics, Vienna, May 2000. Http://augenblix.wu-wien.ac.at/esee2000/.
Giampietro, M. & Munda, G. (2000). Integrated Assessment of Complex Adaptive Systems: an overview of epistemological challenges. Paper presented at the 2nd Biennial International Workshop “Advances in Energy Studies,” Portovenere, Italy, May 2000. Http://www.chim.unisi.it/portovenere.html.
Giampietro, M., Bukkens, S.G.F., & Pimentel, D. (1993). Labor productivity: A biophysical definition and assessment. Human Ecology 21(3), 1–32.
Giampietro, M., Bukkens S.G.F. & Pimentel D. (1997). The link between resources, technology and standard of living: Examples and applications. In L. Freese(Ed.), Advances in Human Ecology, Volume 6, pp. 129–199. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
Giampietro M., Pastore G., Sette S., & Bukkens S.G.F. (forthcoming). Energetics of human labor and gender differentiation of labor roles in non-industrial societies: a theoretical model and simulations. In R. Palmer-Jones (Ed.), Gender, Poverty and Well-being: indicators and strategies. Clarendon Press.
Lotka, A.J. (1956). Elements of Mathematical Biology. New York: Dover Publications.
Munda, G. & Giampietro, M. (2000). Integrated Assessment of Complex Adaptive Systems: an overview of policy challenges and available tools. Paper presented at the 2nd Biennial International Workshop “Advances in Energy Studies,” Portovenere, May 2000. Http:// www.chim.unisi.it/portovenere.html.
Nicolis, G. & Prigogine, I. (1977). Self-Organization in nonequilibrium systems. New York: Wiley-Interscience.
Odum, H.T. (1996). Environmental accounting, emergy and decision making. New York: John Wiley.
Prigogine, I. & Stengers, I. (1981). Order out of chaos. New York: Bantam Books.
Renner, M. (1992). Creating sustainable jobs in industrial countries. In L.R. Brown et al. (Eds.), State of the World 1992, A Worldwatch Institute report on progress toward a sustainable society, pp 138–154. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Rosen, R. (1985). Anticipatory systems: Philosophical, mathematical and methodological foundations.New York: Pergamon Press.
Tainter, J. A. (1988). The collapse of complex societies. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.
Tardo-Dino F. (1985). Le collier de servitude: la condition sanitaire des esclaves aux Antilles francaises du XVII siecle Editions caribeennes (Collection: Connaisance de la diaspora noire). Paris: Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Giampietro, M., Mayumi, K. Multiple-Scale Integrated Assessment of Societal Metabolism: Introducing the Approach. Population and Environment 22, 109–153 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026691623300
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026691623300