Modelling in Ecological Economics

John L. R. Proops · Paul Safonov

Jan 2004 · Edward Elgar Publishing

About this ebook

This book focuses on modelling in ecological economics and offers a comprehensive overview of current and emerging methods of applying mathematical, computational and conceptual methods to environmental issues.
Following a detailed introduction, the a

Ratings and reviews

Peter J.Stauvermann, Book Review: Modelling in Ecological Economics, John Proops, Paul Safonov (Eds.), Edgar Elgar, Cheltenham, UK (2004), 203 pp. - in Ecological Economics, Volume 60, Issue 3, 15 January 2007, Pages 664-665. This book, edited by John Proops and Paul Safonov, consists of 213 pages and 9 chapters. The first chapter provides an introduction and gives a brief survey of the following eight chapters. In the introductory chapter, the editors point out that it is their intention to present a selection of non-orthodox economic approaches and models that are used in Ecological Economics. The chapters are written in such a way as to make the book useful not only for readers who are less familiar with ecological modelling approaches, but also for those who want to obtain an insight into the various approaches in general. In my view, as a prerequisite for understanding the content of this book one needs to have an undergraduate degree in economics. In other words, the book could be used as a textbook in courses for graduate students and by professionals, who are interested in alternatives to neoclassical models. The non-orthodox models discussed in this book are: evolutionary models, input–output models, Neo-Austrian models, entropy-based approaches, thermodynamic models, multi-criteria evaluation, and agent-based models. The final chapter contains a critical survey of econometric models of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. ... For people who want to get an overview of non-orthodox economic approaches, this book is very useful and valuable. The book is also useful in that it gives a first idea of the various models and their advantages and disadvantages. While all the authors make it clear that none of the models is universal and that they are far from perfect, they also demonstrate that the models can be useful under specific circumstances. In conclusion, for all students and researchers interested in modelling in Ecological Economics, this book comes highly recommended.