Resource Accounting for Sustainability Assessment

Mario Giampietro is ICREA Research Professor at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.Richard J. Aspinall is Honorary Research Fellow at the James Hutton Institute and Honorary Professor, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, UK.Jesus Ramos-Martin is Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Economic History, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.Sandra G.F. Bukkens is a Research Assistant at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.

'This is a cohesive book taking on different facets of a unified issue. And what an issue it is; huge, daunting, and something we all knew must be done. But nobody else had the vision and courage to take it on. It is metabolism applied to ecology and society; it is post-normal science in action. Anyone wishing to address metabolism of biology, ecology and society simply must get on top of this work, or just be left behind in the muddle that was heretofore mistaken as acceptable. There are no excuses now.' –Timothy F. H. Allen, University of Madison, USA'In order to widen horizons and make firm steps towards a new paradigm for resource analysis, a biophysically based approach to prospective studies is fundamental to expose myths constructed under the dominant chrematistic framework. This book is not only oriented to foster debate within academia but especially to guide decision making in public policy truthfully committed and concerned with the future of our civilization. For these reasons I fully recommend the reader to immerse in the contents of this book.' –Andrés Arauz, Vice Minister of Planning and Development for Well Living, Ecuador'This book shows the need for a non-reductionist approach to biophysical sustainability, and how to accomplish this through a multi-scale characterization. It crosses numerous disciplines and accomplishes a rigorous and comprehensive analysis of sustainability. The result is a tour de force.' –Joseph A. Tainter, Utah State University, USA'Understanding the relationships between water, land use, energy, and food is a core sustainability challenge. These relationships depend on geography, population, and on economic and social conditions. Extended case studies from South Africa, Mauritius, and Punjab show how decisions must vary among locations and demonstrate an approach for understanding sustainable futures. This book provides students, researchers, and policy makers with a framework and guide for considering sustainable development choices.' –Valerie Thomas, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

• Part 1: Theory 1. Addressing the complexity of integrated resource assessment 2. The multi-scale integrated assessment of societal and ecosystem metabolism 3. The scientific basis of the narrative of societal and ecosystem metabolism 4. The interface between societal and ecosystem metabolism 5. Land systems: Multi-scale dynamics of human and environmental systems Part 2: The Toolkit 6. Accounting for human activity and socio-economic characteristics 7. Food grammar 8. Energy grammar 9. Water grammar 10. GIS protocols for use with MUSIASEM 11. The Sudoku effect within MUSIASEM Part 3: Case Studies 12. The Republic of Mauritius 13. Punjab State, India 14. The Republic of South Africa 15. Resource accounting for sustainability assessment