Library

Scientific paper • 2014

A Social Ecological Economic Perspective on Transformation

Abstract: This paper is part of the special session called: “Exploring Transformation to a Radical Alternative Gesellschaft: Economy, Ethics, Ecology” (RAGE). All papers in this session will be 10 minutes and presented in the first hour of the session. The paper is a first attempt to map the contributions of Social Ecological Economics (SEE) to research on transformation of society and economy...

Scientific paper • 2014

Values and Ethics in an Alternative Degrowth Society

By: Clive Spash

Abstract: The values of modern industrial growth society are instrumental, anthropocentric and hedonistic. These contrast with the values of many others in society and their desires for a better world. For example, the environmental movement promotes non-humans, feminists call for a caring and inclusive economy and Marxists point to the social and community values of a less oppressive world....

Scientific paper • 2014

Economic Growth and Normative Innovations

By: Mateusz Stachura

Abstract: In the prevalent view competition in saturated markets leads to a race-to-the-bottom, i.e. to a social, sociopolitical and ecological deregulation since competitive advantages are only viable by cost reductions due to the depletion of standards. In the present research project a contrary position is theoretically claimed and empirically tested. The main proposition is that low growth...

Scientific paper • 2014

Well-being and resource-efficiency at the meso level

By: Konstantin Stadler, Edgar Hertwich, Richard Wood, Stefan Pauliuk

Abstract: A resource efficient society should provide high well-being at a low cost to the environment while preserving the natural system/natural resources for future generations. Traditionally, well-being has always been assessed on the national level. In contrast, the economic system consists of specific sector with specific functions for the society ranging from providing food to education...

Scientific paper • 2014

Education for Sustainable Consumption through Mindfulness Training

By: Laura Stanszus

Abstract: Education for Sustainable Development, Attitude-behavior-gap, Mindfulness, Individual transformation, Self-reflection Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is considered one of the main drivers of sustainability transformation strategies worldwide. Despite numerous efforts to forward ESD, its practical relevance remains low, as exemplified in the consumption related education...

Scientific paper • 2014

How many homes do we need? A theoretical framing of an unsustainable development of the Norwegian second home phenomenon

By: Rasmus Steffansen

Abstract: This paper will address a theoretical conceptualisation of one of the clearest symbols of the North’s wealth and picture on unsustainable economic growth: the second home. There is a lack of theoretical knowledge in relation to how to conceptualise a ‘sustainable development’ of second homes in a Norwegian context. Thus this paper will conceptualise sustainability of second home...

Scientific paper • 2014

How to design in a degrowth society?

By: Eva Kristin Stein

Abstract: The approach of today’s design practise should give prospects for the transformation into a post-growth and sustainable field of work. The shifting from a technocratic to a social construction qualifies designers for this job because he/she is traditionally responsible for the definition of use the act of using and its shaping. The academic debates in design are all along critical....

Scientific paper • 2014

The Common Good Economy: an new model for the Degrowth society. An application of the Common Good Balance sheet to an organic and biodynamic farm.

By: Giordano Stella, PhD Lucia Rocchi

Keywords: Alternative economic model The evolution of social, economic and environmental systems in the last decades and the numerous studies by Bioeconomy, Economy of Happiness and Degrowth Theory, showed the inability of the Capitalism in the realization of a fair, healthy and happy society. In this historical period there is the need of building a new Economy and Society based on the fair...

Scientific paper • 2014

Labour in Germany

By: Volker Stöckel

Abstract: Here it is a special view to the relationship from three of the core-values of the german economy – the waged work volume (labour), the gross domestic (GDP) product and the stock of fixed assets (capital or curdled labour). The relationship on the scale of things, aggregated in the alpha of the Cobb-Douglas-Function over the time, shows a developement over the last 40 years and there...

Scientific paper • 2014

Long-lasting low growth scenario: The case study Austria

By: Andrea Stocker

Abstract: The paper is motivated by the assumption that low economic growth rates could be the normal case and not the exception in developed economies in the near and also in the far future. Several reasons imply limits on economic scale and thus limits to growth, e.g. resource scarcities, commodity price shocks, instability of financial markets, government debts, a decline in consumer...

Scientific paper • 2014

Ensuring equitable access to energy in the context of a cap

By: Beth Stratford

Abstract: Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs) is a economy-wide framework designed to shift social norms surrounding energy behaviour and to guarantee equitable access to energy in the context of either a deliberate or involuntary energy descent. This presentation will explore the likely distributional impact, public acceptability and behaviour change potential of the TEQs scheme. While claims in...

Scientific paper • 2014

Extension of shelf life of fruits and vegetables from the Kaiserstuhl area through utilization of solar thermal drying and regional marketing of the products

By: Wolfgang Striewe, Friedemar Schreiber, Kurt Schüle, Gudawar Singh, Welf Aumann

Abstract: The presented project sets high standards for the sustainable preservation of food by drying. Fruits and vegetables are purchased from regional and ecological farms and gardens. In addition orchard meadows are harvested and cared for in order to preserve these important habitats. The drying process is driven by solar energy. The process is adapted and synchronized to the availability...

Scientific paper • 2014

Vertical Urban Garden

By: Alexander Stumm, Henry Anderson

Abstract: In the last years architectural interventions in urban space have shown their potential both on a social and a aesthetic level. The vertical urban garden is a multi-storey garden for the community, a meeting-point in the city, a space for cultural activities and recreation. The construction is based on the possibilities of the scaffolding system, is easy and cost-efficently to...

Scientific paper • 2014

Alternative indicators: what are the most sustainable countries?

By: Cecília Szigeti, Anita Borzán

Abstract: In our study we wanted to find an answer to the question whether we can find sustainable countries if we compare the values of different composite indicators? We examined three composite indicators (HDI, HPI, EPI) and the ecological footprint and GDP. Based on our analysis two indicators independent of each other and also independent of the GDP, these are the HPI and the EPI. The...

Scientific paper • 2014

The concept limitations to ecosystem services valuation

By: Marta Szkaradkiewicz, Jan Kazak, Szymon Szewranski

Abstract: The concept of ecosystem services has recently gained relatively a lot attention in the academic debates. The concept is derived from the ecological economics discipline. Thus it combines ecological implications and economic approach. The ecosystem services may be perceived as a different approach to the notion of natural capital which is one of the capitals sustainable development...

Scientific paper • 2014

THE FETISHISM OF PEDAGOGY AND THE REVOLUTION OF LOVE

By: Tamás Kahulits T.

Abstract: Our society shares a deep faith, an unquestionable belief that education is something good by its very nature. What I want to "dialogize" is that the education systems around the world, and schools in todays Super-Capitalism are the (1) depositories and reproducers of the structural injustice (2) the instruments of institutionalized dehumanization and (3) the manifestations of the...

Scientific paper • 2014

Agroecology as alternative(s) to development: A South African Case Study

By: Alistair Tamlit

Abstract: According to Auturo Escobar, development and capitalism have become the most significant ideas to shape social life and these ideas are directly related to the multiple crises our planet faces. Post-development theories offer alternative narratives to the traditional development notions of universal knowledge and progress. Yet, the mainstream development discourse remains and...

Scientific paper • 2014

Rewarding with a licence to commit ecocide: High incomes and climate change

By: Olli Tammilehto

Abstract: According to many studies greenhouse gas emissions attributable to a person or to a household increase with growing income. On the global level, a well-paid quarter of the population generates around three quarters of the total carbon dioxide emissions. The suffering from the disastrous effects of climate change, on the other hand, is distributed in the opposite direction. The...

Scientific paper • 2014

Political Ecology and Degrowth

By: Michalis Theodoropoulos

Political Ecology; Degrowth; Crisis Exit Strategy; Green movement

Scientific paper • 2014

The significance of everyday life, values and meaning for a more social and ecological society: a life world perspective

By: Johannes Timaeus

Abstract: Everyday life and meaning represent two crucial aspects to understand the challenges society is facing towards its transition to a more sustainable future, beyond unrestrained growth. Schütz’ life world theory provides a theoretical framework that takes everyday life and meaning into focus. According to life world theory everyday life is enabled by everyday assumptions, i.e. the...