Publications
Dimensions and logarithmic function in economics: A short critical analysis Journal Article
Mayumi, Kozo; Giampietro, Mario
In: Ecological Economics, 69 (8), pp. 1604–1609, 2010, ISSN: 09218009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Dimensions, Econometrics, Logarithmic function, Logarithmic specification
@article{Mayumi2010,
title = {Dimensions and logarithmic function in economics: A short critical analysis},
author = {Kozo Mayumi and Mario Giampietro},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0921800910001138},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolecon.2010.03.017},
issn = {09218009},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-06-01},
journal = {Ecological Economics},
volume = {69},
number = {8},
pages = {1604--1609},
abstract = {When dealing with sustainability, we are concerned with the biophysical and the monetary aspects of economic and ecological interactions. This multidimensional approach requires that special attention is paid to dimensional issues. However, many studies in economics, as well as in ecological economics, apply dimensional numbers to exponential or logarithmic functions. We show first that it is an analytical error to put a dimensional number x into exponential functions (a x ) and logarithmic functions (log a x). We introduce several examples of this analytical error both in ecological economics and conventional economics. These observations are presented with the hope that they will orient future quantitative analyses toward more constructive ends. Since the empirical and theoretical studies in economics often adopt the logarithmic specification of the production and cost function, we derive a procedure or an algorithm, concerned with the given data set, by which we can examine whether or not a particular logarithmic specification is superior to the usual regression specification in terms of the least square norm. textcopyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.},
keywords = {Dimensions, Econometrics, Logarithmic function, Logarithmic specification},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
When dealing with sustainability, we are concerned with the biophysical and the monetary aspects of economic and ecological interactions. This multidimensional approach requires that special attention is paid to dimensional issues. However, many studies in economics, as well as in ecological economics, apply dimensional numbers to exponential or logarithmic functions. We show first that it is an analytical error to put a dimensional number x into exponential functions (a x ) and logarithmic functions (log a x). We introduce several examples of this analytical error both in ecological economics and conventional economics. These observations are presented with the hope that they will orient future quantitative analyses toward more constructive ends. Since the empirical and theoretical studies in economics often adopt the logarithmic specification of the production and cost function, we derive a procedure or an algorithm, concerned with the given data set, by which we can examine whether or not a particular logarithmic specification is superior to the usual regression specification in terms of the least square norm. textcopyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Siciliano, Giuseppina
Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2010.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Multi-criteria analysis, Multi-scale analysis, Rural-urban migration strategies
@phdthesis{Siciliano2010,
title = {Integrated approaches for evaluating development strategies in rural areas: case studies from Italy and China},
author = {Giuseppina Siciliano},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10579/933 http://dspace.unive.it/handle/10579/933},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-03-01},
school = {Universit\`{a} Ca' Foscari Venezia},
abstract = {The objective of this thesis is twofold: (1) to investigate the synergies arising from the implementation of multi-scale and multi-criteria approaches in the evaluation of rural development policies (RDP); (2) to explore the impacts and trade-offs of RDP in two selected case studies located in Italy and China. The thesis argues that multi-criteria and multi-scale approaches can be combined to provide a useful framework with which to structure an integrated analysis of RDP in order to assess their effectiveness in achieving sustainability goals across scales. The analysis is performed by selecting and evaluating multidimensional criteria, which represent the main goals of development policies in the areas of study. Moreover, multi-scale analysis is performed to define boundary conditions and trade-offs for future local development. The use of the two methodologies appears to be very significant to capture both the multidimensional and multi-scale aspects of the Rural Development Policies analysed and to generate several sets of “view-dependent” representations of rural systems that are useful for trade-off assessments.},
keywords = {Multi-criteria analysis, Multi-scale analysis, Rural-urban migration strategies},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
The objective of this thesis is twofold: (1) to investigate the synergies arising from the implementation of multi-scale and multi-criteria approaches in the evaluation of rural development policies (RDP); (2) to explore the impacts and trade-offs of RDP in two selected case studies located in Italy and China. The thesis argues that multi-criteria and multi-scale approaches can be combined to provide a useful framework with which to structure an integrated analysis of RDP in order to assess their effectiveness in achieving sustainability goals across scales. The analysis is performed by selecting and evaluating multidimensional criteria, which represent the main goals of development policies in the areas of study. Moreover, multi-scale analysis is performed to define boundary conditions and trade-offs for future local development. The use of the two methodologies appears to be very significant to capture both the multidimensional and multi-scale aspects of the Rural Development Policies analysed and to generate several sets of “view-dependent” representations of rural systems that are useful for trade-off assessments.
Using the musiasem approach to study metabolic patterns of modern societies Incollection
Giampietro, M.; Sorman, A. H.; Gamboa, G.
In: Barbir, F.; Ulgiati, S. (Ed.): Energy Options Impact on Regional Security. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security, pp. 37–68, Springer, Dordrecht, 2010, ISBN: 978-90-481-9565-7.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@incollection{Giampietro2010,
title = {Using the musiasem approach to study metabolic patterns of modern societies},
author = {M. Giampietro and A. H. Sorman and G. Gamboa},
editor = {F. Barbir and S. Ulgiati},
url = {https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-90-481-9565-7_2},
doi = {10.1007/978-90-481-9565-7_2},
isbn = {978-90-481-9565-7},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
booktitle = {Energy Options Impact on Regional Security. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security},
pages = {37--68},
publisher = {Springer},
address = {Dordrecht},
abstract = {This paper presents examples of application of the MuSIASEM approach (Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Meta-bolism). The text is organized as follows: Section 1 briefly discusses, using practical examples, the theoretical challenge implied by the quantitative analysis of complex metabolic systems. Complex metabolic systems are organized over multiple hierarchical levels, therefore, they require the adoption of different dimensions and multiple scales of analysis. This challenge has to be explicitly addressed by those performing quantitative analysis; Section 2 discusses two key characteristics to be considered when studying the evolution in time of the metabolic pattern of modern societies: the implications associated with changes in demographic structures (Section 2.1); and, the need of providing an integrated analysis of the structural change of socio-economic systems (Section 2.2). Such an analysis can be obtained by integrating the two functional/structural parts: (i) the part in charge for the production; and (ii) the part in charge for the consumption of goods and services. Section 3 provides an example of an integrated analysis of the evolution in time of the metabolic patterns of European Countries (data from an ongoing European Project - SMILE). This analysis shows clearly the problem generated by the use of data referring to the societal level (characteristics of whole countries). Looking only at the characteristics of the black-box, neglecting the differences of key parts operating inside the black-box, can lead to erroneous interpretation of data (e.g. the theory of Environmental Kuznets Curves). textcopyright Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2010.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
This paper presents examples of application of the MuSIASEM approach (Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Meta-bolism). The text is organized as follows: Section 1 briefly discusses, using practical examples, the theoretical challenge implied by the quantitative analysis of complex metabolic systems. Complex metabolic systems are organized over multiple hierarchical levels, therefore, they require the adoption of different dimensions and multiple scales of analysis. This challenge has to be explicitly addressed by those performing quantitative analysis; Section 2 discusses two key characteristics to be considered when studying the evolution in time of the metabolic pattern of modern societies: the implications associated with changes in demographic structures (Section 2.1); and, the need of providing an integrated analysis of the structural change of socio-economic systems (Section 2.2). Such an analysis can be obtained by integrating the two functional/structural parts: (i) the part in charge for the production; and (ii) the part in charge for the consumption of goods and services. Section 3 provides an example of an integrated analysis of the evolution in time of the metabolic patterns of European Countries (data from an ongoing European Project - SMILE). This analysis shows clearly the problem generated by the use of data referring to the societal level (characteristics of whole countries). Looking only at the characteristics of the black-box, neglecting the differences of key parts operating inside the black-box, can lead to erroneous interpretation of data (e.g. the theory of Environmental Kuznets Curves). textcopyright Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2010.
Catalonia's energy metabolism: Using the MuSIASEM approach at different scales Journal Article
Ramos-Martín, Jesús; Cañellas-Boltà, Sílvia; Giampietro, Mario; Gamboa, Gonzalo
In: Energy Policy, 37 (11), pp. 4658–4671, 2009, ISSN: 03014215.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Energy metabolism, Integrated analysis, MuSIASEM
@article{Ramos-Martin2009,
title = {Catalonia's energy metabolism: Using the MuSIASEM approach at different scales},
author = {Jes\'{u}s Ramos-Mart\'{i}n and S\'{i}lvia Ca\~{n}ellas-Bolt\`{a} and Mario Giampietro and Gonzalo Gamboa},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0301421509004352},
doi = {10.1016/j.enpol.2009.06.028},
issn = {03014215},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-11-01},
journal = {Energy Policy},
volume = {37},
number = {11},
pages = {4658--4671},
abstract = {This paper applies the so-called Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM), based on Georgescu-Roegen's fund-flow model, to the Spanish region of Catalonia. It arrives to the conclusion that within the context of the end of cheap oil, the current development model of the Catalan economy, based on the growth of low-productivity sectors such as services and construction, must be changed. The change is needed not only because of the increasing scarcity of affordable energy and the increasing environmental impact of present development, but also because of the aging population. Moreover, the situation experienced by Catalonia is similar to that of other European countries and many other developed countries. This implies that we can expect a wave of major structural changes in the economy of developed countries worldwide. To make things more challenging, according to current trends, the energy intensity and exosomatic energy metabolism of Catalonia will keep increasing in the near future. To avoid a reduction in the standard of living of Catalans due to a reduction in the available energy it is important that the Government of Catalonia implement major adjustments and conservation efforts in both the household and paid-work sectors. textcopyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
keywords = {Energy metabolism, Integrated analysis, MuSIASEM},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper applies the so-called Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM), based on Georgescu-Roegen's fund-flow model, to the Spanish region of Catalonia. It arrives to the conclusion that within the context of the end of cheap oil, the current development model of the Catalan economy, based on the growth of low-productivity sectors such as services and construction, must be changed. The change is needed not only because of the increasing scarcity of affordable energy and the increasing environmental impact of present development, but also because of the aging population. Moreover, the situation experienced by Catalonia is similar to that of other European countries and many other developed countries. This implies that we can expect a wave of major structural changes in the economy of developed countries worldwide. To make things more challenging, according to current trends, the energy intensity and exosomatic energy metabolism of Catalonia will keep increasing in the near future. To avoid a reduction in the standard of living of Catalans due to a reduction in the available energy it is important that the Government of Catalonia implement major adjustments and conservation efforts in both the household and paid-work sectors. textcopyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Multi-scale integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism (MuSIASEM): Theoretical concepts and basic rationale Journal Article
Giampietro, Mario; Mayumi, Kozo; Ramos-Martin, Jesus
In: Energy, 34 (3), pp. 313–322, 2009, ISSN: 03605442.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Exosomatic energy, Impredicative loop analysis, Multi-purpose grammars, Multi-scale integrated analysis, MuSIASEM, Societal metabolism, Sudoku effect
@article{Giampietro2009a,
title = {Multi-scale integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism (MuSIASEM): Theoretical concepts and basic rationale},
author = {Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi and Jesus Ramos-Martin},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0360544208001965},
doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2008.07.020},
issn = {03605442},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-03-01},
journal = {Energy},
volume = {34},
number = {3},
pages = {313--322},
abstract = {The multi-scale integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism (MuSIASEM) approach makes it possible to perform a check on the feasibility and desirability of patterns of metabolism of socio-economic systems by providing a characterization at different levels and scales of: (a) the performance of socio-economic activities (for households, enterprises, economic sectors, national economies, world economy) and (b) ecological constraints (micro, meso, macro) by looking at the interference that the metabolism of matter and energy flows controlled by human activity induces on the expected pattern of metabolism of matter and energy flows associated with the self-organization of natural ecosystems. This paper presents three theoretical concepts behind the analytical approach MuSIASEM: (1) how to represent the endosomatic and exosomatic metabolism of societies using Georgescu-Roegen's flow-fund scheme; (2) how to generate a Sudoku effect across representations of different units of production and consumption defined at different levels; and (3) how to perform an impredicative loop analysis when dealing with changes (evolution) of the characteristics of dynamic budgets of metabolized flows, represented across different scales. Since sustainability deals with "becoming systems"-systems becoming something else in their process of evolution-an analysis of sustainability must adopt analytical tools semantically open in their representation of change. MuSIASEM can do that since it is a "multi-purpose grammar", which can be used for building a shared perception and representation of this "becoming" when studying sustainability. That is, it entails an agreement on an expected set of relations between "relevant semantic categories" and "pertinent formal categories" across hierarchical levels and across different narratives; for this reason it represents a clear discontinuity from models developed within the paradigm of reductionism to deal with the issue of sustainability. textcopyright 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
keywords = {Exosomatic energy, Impredicative loop analysis, Multi-purpose grammars, Multi-scale integrated analysis, MuSIASEM, Societal metabolism, Sudoku effect},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The multi-scale integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism (MuSIASEM) approach makes it possible to perform a check on the feasibility and desirability of patterns of metabolism of socio-economic systems by providing a characterization at different levels and scales of: (a) the performance of socio-economic activities (for households, enterprises, economic sectors, national economies, world economy) and (b) ecological constraints (micro, meso, macro) by looking at the interference that the metabolism of matter and energy flows controlled by human activity induces on the expected pattern of metabolism of matter and energy flows associated with the self-organization of natural ecosystems. This paper presents three theoretical concepts behind the analytical approach MuSIASEM: (1) how to represent the endosomatic and exosomatic metabolism of societies using Georgescu-Roegen's flow-fund scheme; (2) how to generate a Sudoku effect across representations of different units of production and consumption defined at different levels; and (3) how to perform an impredicative loop analysis when dealing with changes (evolution) of the characteristics of dynamic budgets of metabolized flows, represented across different scales. Since sustainability deals with "becoming systems"-systems becoming something else in their process of evolution-an analysis of sustainability must adopt analytical tools semantically open in their representation of change. MuSIASEM can do that since it is a "multi-purpose grammar", which can be used for building a shared perception and representation of this "becoming" when studying sustainability. That is, it entails an agreement on an expected set of relations between "relevant semantic categories" and "pertinent formal categories" across hierarchical levels and across different narratives; for this reason it represents a clear discontinuity from models developed within the paradigm of reductionism to deal with the issue of sustainability. textcopyright 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Biofuel Delusion: The fallacy of Large Scale Agro-Biofuels Production Book
Giampietro, M.; Mayumi, K.
Earthscan-Routledge, 2009, ISBN: 9781138866973.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@book{Giampietro2009,
title = {The Biofuel Delusion: The fallacy of Large Scale Agro-Biofuels Production},
author = {M. Giampietro and K. Mayumi},
url = {https://www.routledge.com/The-Biofuel-Delusion-The-Fallacy-of-Large-Scale-Agro-Biofuels-Production/Giampietro-Mayumi-Smil-Ravetz/p/book/9781138866973 https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781849770200/biofuel-delusion-mario-giampietro-kozo-may},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849770200},
isbn = {9781138866973},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
pages = {336},
publisher = {Earthscan-Routledge},
abstract = {Faced with the twin threats of peak oil and climate change, many governments have turned for an answer to the apparent panacea of biofuels. Yet, increasingly, the progressive implementation of this solution demonstrates that the promise of biofuels as a replacement to fossil fuels is in fact a mirage that, if followed, risks leaving us short of power, short of food and doing as much damage to the climate as ever -- let alone the consequent impact on biodiversity due to additional loss of habitat for agricultural production and on rural development due to the additional stress on traditional farming systems. Worse still, these risks are being ignored. In this definitive expos?, Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi present a theoretical framework and exhaustive evidence for the case against large scale biofuel production from agricultural crops. This book will be vital, sobering reading for anyone concerned with energy or agricultural policy, or bioenergy as a complex system. textcopyright Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi, 2009. All rights reserved.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Faced with the twin threats of peak oil and climate change, many governments have turned for an answer to the apparent panacea of biofuels. Yet, increasingly, the progressive implementation of this solution demonstrates that the promise of biofuels as a replacement to fossil fuels is in fact a mirage that, if followed, risks leaving us short of power, short of food and doing as much damage to the climate as ever -- let alone the consequent impact on biodiversity due to additional loss of habitat for agricultural production and on rural development due to the additional stress on traditional farming systems. Worse still, these risks are being ignored. In this definitive expos?, Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi present a theoretical framework and exhaustive evidence for the case against large scale biofuel production from agricultural crops. This book will be vital, sobering reading for anyone concerned with energy or agricultural policy, or bioenergy as a complex system. textcopyright Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi, 2009. All rights reserved.
Incorporating biophysical foundations in a hierarchical model of societal metabolism Incollection
Gowdy, J.; Giampietro, M.; Ramos-Martin, J.; Mayumi, K.
In: Holt, R. P. F.; Pressman, S.; Spash, C. (Ed.): Post Keynesian and Ecological Economics: Confronting Environmental Issues, pp. 203–220, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK, 2009, ISBN: 9781847206688.
@incollection{Gowdy2009,
title = {Incorporating biophysical foundations in a hierarchical model of societal metabolism},
author = {J. Gowdy and M. Giampietro and J. Ramos-Martin and K. Mayumi},
editor = {R. P. F. Holt and S. Pressman and C. Spash},
url = {https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/post-keynesian-and-ecological-economics-9781847206688.html},
isbn = {9781847206688},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {Post Keynesian and Ecological Economics: Confronting Environmental Issues},
pages = {203--220},
publisher = {Edward Elgar Publishing},
address = {Cheltenham, UK},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
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