Abstract
Economic systems are open systems that use materials and energy provided by their surroundings for the production of goods and services that are desired by consumers. However, the use of materials and energy degrades the environment, thereby ultimately reducing the environment’s ability to provide goods and services for the economy. Degradation takes place in two distinct forms, the exhaustion of nonrenewable resource stocks and the release of waste products and radiant heat into the environment. Both forms of environmental degradation affect the structure and function of the ecosystem and are fundamentally interrelated.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ruth, M. (1993). Methodology and Findings. In: Integrating Economics, Ecology and Thermodynamics. Ecology, Economy & Environment, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1899-8_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1899-8_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4298-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1899-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive