Ecological Economics from the Ground Up takes a unique and much-needed bottom-up approach to teaching ecological economics and political ecology, using case studies that focus on a wide range of internationally relevant topics, to teach the principles, concepts, methods and tools of these fields, which are seen as increasingly important in the context of the current triple social, economic and environmental crisis.
This book provides learning materials which are grounded in the experience of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), with case studies chosen by CSOs and developed collaboratively with leading ecological economists. The case studies come from Europe, India, Latin America, and Africa, and are presented thematically along three lines: 1) social metabolism and accounting methods, 2) institutions and participation, and 3) valuation and environmental policy tools. Core tools, concepts and glossary terms are embedded in topics chosen as a matter of urgency by activist organizations, related to mining and fossil fuel extraction, integrated transport infrastructure development, deforestation and agro-fuel production, sustainable tourism, waste management, wetlands and water management, payments for ecosystem services, natural disasters and hazards, and corporate accountability.
Ecological Economics from the Ground Up has been designed to be an accessible learning aid for students of the sustainability sciences and for those CSOs that have recognised the value that ecological economics and political ecology tools and methods hold for their research and advocacy work.
Ecological Economics from the Ground Up takes a unique and much-needed bottom-up approach to teaching ecological economics and political ecology, using case studies that focus on a wide range of internationally relevant topics, to teach the principles, concepts, methods and tools of these fields, which are seen as increasingly important in the context of the current triple social, economic and environmental crisis.
'The scope and range of ideas dealt with in Ecological Economics from the Ground Up are of a gigantic scale. This book represents one serious effort by an international group of researchers, under the direction of one of the finest ecological economists of our time - Professor Joan Martínez-Alier, to enrich and validate the approaches, frameworks and methods of ecological economics. This has been done in a true tradition of interdisciplinarity, with the application of a range of innovative approaches, from social metabolic accounting to valuation to participation. This book represents a truly remarkable effort and will be a delight to read for practitioners in and outside of academic life.'
Pushpam Kumar, Chief Economist, UNEP
'Ecological Economics from the Ground Up is just what is needed for the times: down-to-earth documentation of how to fight bad economics with good economics, how to fight economic interests with an economics that empowers the public's interest in social justice and environmental sustainability. This book provides what is needed now: documentation of successful and on-going efforts from the bottom up to reshape the future along with a glossary of key concepts that challenge business as usual.'
Richard Norgaard, University of California, USA
'In this pioneering example of what the European Commission calls 'co-operative research', the authors have genuinely succeeded in articulating a diversity of often-conflicting disciplinary and societal perspectives around pressing social and environmental policy challenges around the world.
[?] A coherent set of central ideas and approaches are explored through an impressive array of empirical case studies. These span a wide range of contrasting industrial sectors and socio-ecological contexts, extending across both northern and southern global settings. The emphasis throughout is on international, environmental and institutional interconnections. The breadth of analysis also extends beyond the often-narrow disciplinary domains, to encompass often-neglected dimensions of culture and power, as well as economic, biophysical and technological dynamics.
[?] The final product should find an enthusiastic readership among policy makers, lobbyists, activists and environmental managers in business, in addition to academic researchers in the range of disciplines addressed: economics and political science, as well as various areas of environmental science and policy analysis.'
Andrew Stirling, University of Sussex, UK
