Michael Common is Emeritus Professor at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, University of Strathclyde and a member of the editorial board of the journal Ecological Economics. He is highly respected both for his teaching and as author of numerous journal and book publications on the economics of the environment since 1973.

Texte du rabat

Assuming no prior knowledge of economics, this textbook is intended for interdisciplinary environmental science and management courses. The authors, who have written extensively on the economics of sustainability, combine insights from mainstream economics as well as ecological sciences. Part I explores the interdependence of the modern economy and its environment, while Part II focuses mainly on the economy and on economics. Part III reviews how national governments set policy targets and the instruments used to pursue those targets. Part IV examines international trade and institutions, and two major global threats to sustainability - climate change and biodiversity loss.

Résumé
Taking as its starting point the interdependence of human and natural systems, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the emerging field of ecological economics. It assumes no prior knowledge of economics and is well suited for use on interdisciplinary environmental science and management courses.

Contenu

What is ecological economics?; Part I. Interdependent Systems: 2. The environment; 3. The economy in the environment; 4. How we got here; Part II. Economic Activity: 5. Economic accounting; 6. Economic growth and human well-being; 7. Economic growth and the environment; 8. Exchange and markets; 9. Limits to markets; Part III. Governance: 10. Determining policy objectives; 11. Policy instruments; Part IV. The International Dimension: 12. A world of nation states; 13. Climate change; 14. Biodiversity loss.