Eco-economy: Building an Economy for the EarthIn 1543, Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus challenged the view that the sun revolved around the earth, arguing instead that the earth revolved around the sun. His paper led to a revolution in thinking. In Lester Brown's brilliant and invigorating account of the industrial economy, he shows how a rethink of its fossil fuel-based, throwaway ethos is necessary to ensure that it works with, not against, the natural environment. The issue now is whether the environment is part of the economy or the economy is part of the environment. Brown argues the latter, pointing out that treating the environment as part of the economy has produced an economy that is destroying its natural support systems. One of the foremost experts on the new economic opportunities, Brown shows the vast economic potential and environmental gains that exist from eliminating the waste and destruction of current consumption. He describes how the global economy can be restructured to make it compatible with the earth's ecosystem so that economic progress can continue, with high standards of living and secure employment for all, while conserving resources and restoring the environment. In the new economy, wind farms replace coal mines, hydrogen-powered fuel cells replace internal combustion engines, and cities are designed for people, not cars. Eco-Economy is a map of how to get from here to there. It is an essential guide to the economy of the 21st century and will be compelling reading for business readers and environmentalists alike looking for ways to build a better future. |
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Contents
The Economy and the Earth | 3 |
Climate and Water | 27 |
The Biological Base | 49 |
Copyright | |
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Eco-economy: Building an Economy for the Earth Lester Russell Brown,Earth Policy Institute Limited preview - 2001 |
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Africa agriculture aluminum annual Aquaculture aquifer Aral Sea automobile Bangladesh bicycle building an eco-economy capacity carbon emissions cars China cities climate change coal cost crop cropland decades decline deforestation developing countries Earth Policy Institute ecological ecosys ecosystem efficiency electricity energy economy energy sources Environment environmental estimated expanding family planning farming fertility fish fisheries forests fossil fuels geothermal global grain harvest hectares hydrogen Ibid increase India industry International investment irrigation Japan kilograms land Lester megawatts million hectares million tons Norton & Company oceanic percent pollution population growth Postel production projected rangelands recycling reduce Report Resources restructuring rise River shift solar cells species steel subsidies supply sustainable yield tion transport trees U.S. Department United Nations urban USDA Vital Signs W.W. Norton Washington water tables wind energy wind power wind turbines World Bank world population Worldwatch Institute worldwide York