Ecological Economics: An Economic Concept Beneficial to the Earth

Author: Lester R. Brown (USA), translated by Lin Zixin and others
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: This is a specialized book describing an ecological economic blueprint, as well as a popular read aimed at awakening the public and urging decision-makers at all levels to change their perspectives and take action. Economists focus solely on economic achievements, while ecologists, in addition to recognizing these achievements, also see the devastating costs paid by the Earth's ecosystem. Brown calls for the integration of economic principles and ecological principles, urging economists and ecologists to work together to build an economic model that benefits the Earth—ecological economics. Just as the heliocentric theory of Copernicus replaced the geocentric theory of Ptolemy, saving our burdened planet requires viewing the economy as a subsystem of the Earth's ecosystem, replacing the economic-centric view with an environmental-centric one, and urgently needing an environmental revolution to accelerate the transformation from traditional economics to ecological economics. Despite the Earth being riddled with damage and ecosystems on the brink of collapse, Brown remains an optimist, believing that humanity should and can save its home—the Earth. The dawn of the ecological economy he envisions has already appeared in Denmark's wind farms, Japan's solar roofs, the Netherlands' bicycle networks, and China's aquaponic farming.