Description
Taylor & Francis Measuring and Modeling Sustainable Development 2001 Edition by I. Moffatt, N. Hanley, M.D. Wilson
This is a graduate-level reference documenting the results of two years of research into sustainable development in Scotland, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Global Environmental Change Programme (GEC). Written for a broad audience of scientists, students, and environmentalists, it reflects the growing recognition that current patterns of economic and social development are not sustainable, and that if science is to offer ways of living within the constraints of our ecological systems, alternative paths of ecologically sound economic development must be found. Beginning with simple definitions and principles of sustainable development, it then covers the historical context of Scotland, from the Highland clearances to the present oil-rich days. It continues with examples of measuring sustainable development, environmental indicators, economic and sociopolitical measures in other countries. This is followed by a time series analysis for Scotland, outlining the natural limits to development, the theory of sustainable corridors, and alternative approaches. The authors explain the mathematics of systems dynamics and economic modelling of sustainable development policies. The work concludes with the forward-looking chapter, "Towards sustainable societies." Table of contents :- Acknowledgments. Preface. Definitions and principles of sustainable development. The Scottish context. Measuring sustainable development. Environmental indicators of sustainable development. Economic measures of sustainability. Socio-political measures. A time series analysis for Scotland. Natural limits to development and the theory of sustainable corridors. Alternative approaches to modelling sustainable development. Modelling sustainable development using systems dynamics. Economic modelling of sustainable development policies. Towards sustainable societies. References. Index.