Advanced Introduction to Ecological Economics

`Ecological economics has roots in numerous disciplines including various branches of economics, ecology, physics, systems analysis and the study of technology. In his succinct Advanced Introduction to Ecological Economics, Matthias Ruth shows how each of these lines of intellectual inquiry has contributed to the development of ecological economics. He covers its history, main findings and current issues closing with a valuable discussion of complexity and the challenges for analysis and management in a full world.' -- Peter A. Victor, York University, Canada `Ruth offers a compact, very readable introduction to the booming field of Ecological Economics as it seeks to trace the interdependencies among human activities and environmental change, focusing in particular on industrial market driven economies. With a very modest degree of mathematical formalization, it pays tribute to science disciplines like physics and ecology in understanding the effects of economic decisions on the biosphere, and makes brief but distinct excursions into mainstream economics to mark the specifics of the ecological economic approach.' -- Marina Fischer-Kowalski, University of Vienna, Austria `Being a diverse field, ecological economics tends to be interpreted in distinct ways by different authors. Ruth offers his own take in this concise treatment that quickly moves beyond basics to make the reader aware of the complications characterizing integrated studies. While one could argue with some of his conclusions, they are always richly laced with arguments and illustrations.' -- Jeroen van den Bergh, University of Barcelona, Spain and Vrije Universiteit, the Netherlands `This Advanced Introduction is introductory because it starts at the beginning. First principles of economics and ecology are united in a pre-analytic vision of the economy as a subsystem of the ecosphere. It is "advanced" because it rigorously elaborates that vision to explain ecological economics, with ample references to the literature, and admirable brevity. A splendid contribution!' -- Herman Daly, University of Maryland, US