Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In contrast
Figure 11.4
(see page 184) represents the full world model,
describing a situation nearer to today, in which the economic subsystem is very large
relative to the ecosystem. This highlights the fact that unless qualitative changes
occur the ecosystem is going to be pushed beyond its limits. In fact, there are signs
that this point is imminent with, for example, global warming, ozone depletion, soil
erosion, biodiversity loss, population explosions and resource depletion.
Figure 11.3
Empty world
al
Energy
Energy
Growing
Economic
Subsystem
Resources
Wastes
Recycled
matter
Source:
Adapted from Goodland, Daly and El Serafy (1992)
Professor Kenneth Boulding presented this contrast in a colourful way in his
1966 paper
The economics of the coming spaceship earth
. In this paper he drew
an analogy between the empty world and the full world. He referred to the empty
world as a cowboy economy, as this effectively characterised the traditional
economists' view of the earth's resources - abundant, limitless and capable of
sustaining reckless, exploitative and violent behaviour. In stark contrast, he referred
to the full world of the future as the 'spaceman economy' - a single spaceship,
without unlimited reservoirs of anything, either for extraction or for pollution. The
gist of his argument was that the planet should not be pushed beyond its limits.
Taking this contrast to its logical conclusion we can envisage two types of economy:
an inefficient economy in which all ecosystem services are treated as free goods
and used abundantly; and an efficient economic system in which all resources are
allocated according to price. This analysis clearly highlights the problems of pursuing
unlimited technological growth, and makes a strong case in favour of sustainable
growth that does not take the world's natural support functions for granted.
