Publications
A becoming China and the assisted maturity of the EU: Assessing the factors determining their energy metabolic patterns Journal Article
Velasco-Fernández, R.; Pérez-Sánchez, L.; Chen, L.; Giampietro, M.
In: Energy Strategy Reviews, 32 , pp. 100562, 2020, ISSN: 2211467X.
@article{Velasco-Fernandez2020,
title = {A becoming China and the assisted maturity of the EU: Assessing the factors determining their energy metabolic patterns},
author = {R. Velasco-Fern\'{a}ndez and L. P\'{e}rez-S\'{a}nchez and L. Chen and M. Giampietro},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2211467X20301152},
doi = {10.1016/j.esr.2020.100562},
issn = {2211467X},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-11-01},
journal = {Energy Strategy Reviews},
volume = {32},
pages = {100562},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Isolated yet open: A metabolic analysis of Menorca Journal Article
Marcos-Valls, Alejandro; Kovacic, Zora; Giampietro, Mario; Kallis, Giorgos; Rieradevall, Joan
In: Science of The Total Environment, 738 , pp. 139221, 2020, ISSN: 00489697.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Energy, Human activities, Mediterranean islands, MuSIASEM, Socio-ecological metabolism, Water
@article{Marcos-Valls2020,
title = {Isolated yet open: A metabolic analysis of Menorca},
author = {Alejandro Marcos-Valls and Zora Kovacic and Mario Giampietro and Giorgos Kallis and Joan Rieradevall},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0048969720327388},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139221},
issn = {00489697},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-10-01},
journal = {Science of The Total Environment},
volume = {738},
pages = {139221},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {Small islands are vulnerable to climate change, and at the same time contribute to local and global environmental problems with the intensification of tourist activities. Whereas there are many studies on the resource requirements or environmental impacts of small islands, there are few efforts to integrate information that is often analysed separately. Metabolic analysis, beyond quantifying biophysical flows, studies how society transforms these flows to reproduce the identity of the whole. This study applies the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) approach, to analyse the environmental and economic performance of different economic activities in the Mediterranean island of Menorca (Spain). The openness of the metabolic system (observed in the dependence on imports) and externalization of environmental impact are illustrated using the examples of the cheese and tourist industry. The results show that a higher economic performance in terms of value added is associated with activities in industry and services with a larger dependence on imports of “external resources” \textendash fuel for transportation, milk for cheese, seasonal workers and “paying capacity” of tourists. This dependence reduces local environmental pressures and also adaptation capacity, since decisions made in Menorca may have limited impact elsewhere. Local agriculture depends less on external resources but it is limited by the low economic productivity of land and labour. An integrated analysis of the relations between metabolic rates and densities of flows in the different compartments of the society provides a holistic picture of sustainability issues and can contribute to decision-making by avoiding partial information.},
keywords = {Energy, Human activities, Mediterranean islands, MuSIASEM, Socio-ecological metabolism, Water},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Small islands are vulnerable to climate change, and at the same time contribute to local and global environmental problems with the intensification of tourist activities. Whereas there are many studies on the resource requirements or environmental impacts of small islands, there are few efforts to integrate information that is often analysed separately. Metabolic analysis, beyond quantifying biophysical flows, studies how society transforms these flows to reproduce the identity of the whole. This study applies the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) approach, to analyse the environmental and economic performance of different economic activities in the Mediterranean island of Menorca (Spain). The openness of the metabolic system (observed in the dependence on imports) and externalization of environmental impact are illustrated using the examples of the cheese and tourist industry. The results show that a higher economic performance in terms of value added is associated with activities in industry and services with a larger dependence on imports of “external resources” – fuel for transportation, milk for cheese, seasonal workers and “paying capacity” of tourists. This dependence reduces local environmental pressures and also adaptation capacity, since decisions made in Menorca may have limited impact elsewhere. Local agriculture depends less on external resources but it is limited by the low economic productivity of land and labour. An integrated analysis of the relations between metabolic rates and densities of flows in the different compartments of the society provides a holistic picture of sustainability issues and can contribute to decision-making by avoiding partial information.
A multiscale integrated analysis of the factors characterizing the sustainability of food systems in Europe Journal Article
Cadillo-Benalcazar, J. J.; Renner, A.; Giampietro, M.
In: Journal of Environmental Management, 271 , pp. 110944, 2020, ISSN: 03014797.
@article{Cadillo-Benalcazar2020,
title = {A multiscale integrated analysis of the factors characterizing the sustainability of food systems in Europe},
author = {J. J. Cadillo-Benalcazar and A. Renner and M. Giampietro},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0301479720308732},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110944},
issn = {03014797},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-10-01},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Management},
volume = {271},
pages = {110944},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
From elite folk science to the policy legend of the circular economy Journal Article
Giampietro, Mario; Funtowicz, Silvio O.
In: Environmental Science & Policy, 109 , pp. 64–72, 2020, ISSN: 14629011.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Circular economy, Decoupling, Life-support system, Policy legend, Post-normal science, Uncomfortable knowledge
@article{Giampietro2020,
title = {From elite folk science to the policy legend of the circular economy},
author = {Mario Giampietro and Silvio O. Funtowicz},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1462901120302033},
doi = {10.1016/j.envsci.2020.04.012},
issn = {14629011},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-07-01},
journal = {Environmental Science & Policy},
volume = {109},
pages = {64--72},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {This paper explores the implications of the widespread success of the term circular economy in the institutional and public debate. The concept of circular economy in itself implies a logical contradiction: on the one hand, the concept acknowledges the dependence of the economy on biophysical flows; on the other hand, the proposed solution\textemdasha business model guaranteeing a full decoupling of the economy from natural resources\textemdashseemingly ignores that biophysical processes are subject to thermodynamic constraints. A biophysical view of the sustainability predicament\textemdashthe flows exchanged between the technosphere and the biosphere \textemdash is depicted to show that the idea of a full decoupling is simply due to ignorance of the knowledge generated in (inter)disciplinary scientific fields other than the dominant economic one. The success of economics as an ‘elite folk science' is explained by the need of the establishment to ignore uncomfortable knowledge that would destabilize existing institutions. The success of the term circular economy can be seen as an example of socially constructed ignorance in which folk tales are used to depoliticize the sustainability debate and to colonize the future through the endorsement of implausible socio-technical imaginaries. A strategy that can lead to an irresponsible management of expectation: implausible master narratives are impossible to govern. Rather than continuing to impose technocratic plans, as if we knew the optimal thing to do, Post-Normal Science suggests that it is much more effective and responsible to adopt a flexible management approach, exploring the ability of self-organization of social-ecological systems.},
keywords = {Circular economy, Decoupling, Life-support system, Policy legend, Post-normal science, Uncomfortable knowledge},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper explores the implications of the widespread success of the term circular economy in the institutional and public debate. The concept of circular economy in itself implies a logical contradiction: on the one hand, the concept acknowledges the dependence of the economy on biophysical flows; on the other hand, the proposed solution—a business model guaranteeing a full decoupling of the economy from natural resources—seemingly ignores that biophysical processes are subject to thermodynamic constraints. A biophysical view of the sustainability predicament—the flows exchanged between the technosphere and the biosphere — is depicted to show that the idea of a full decoupling is simply due to ignorance of the knowledge generated in (inter)disciplinary scientific fields other than the dominant economic one. The success of economics as an ‘elite folk science' is explained by the need of the establishment to ignore uncomfortable knowledge that would destabilize existing institutions. The success of the term circular economy can be seen as an example of socially constructed ignorance in which folk tales are used to depoliticize the sustainability debate and to colonize the future through the endorsement of implausible socio-technical imaginaries. A strategy that can lead to an irresponsible management of expectation: implausible master narratives are impossible to govern. Rather than continuing to impose technocratic plans, as if we knew the optimal thing to do, Post-Normal Science suggests that it is much more effective and responsible to adopt a flexible management approach, exploring the ability of self-organization of social-ecological systems.
Micro-solutions to global problems: understanding social processes to eradicate energy poverty and build climate-resilient livelihoods Journal Article
Tàbara, J David; Takama, Takeshi; Mishra, Manisha; Hermanus, Lauren; Andrew, Sean Khaya; Diaz, Pacia; Ziervogel, Gina; Lemkow, Louis
In: Climatic Change, 160 (4), pp. 711–725, 2020, ISSN: 0165-0009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
@article{Tabara2020,
title = {Micro-solutions to global problems: understanding social processes to eradicate energy poverty and build climate-resilient livelihoods},
author = {J David T\`{a}bara and Takeshi Takama and Manisha Mishra and Lauren Hermanus and Sean Khaya Andrew and Pacia Diaz and Gina Ziervogel and Louis Lemkow},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-019-02448-z http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10584-019-02448-z},
doi = {10.1007/s10584-019-02448-z},
issn = {0165-0009},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-06-01},
journal = {Climatic Change},
volume = {160},
number = {4},
pages = {711--725},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {This research explores the agent dynamics, learning processes, and enabling conditions for the implementation of microscale win-win solutions that contribute to energy poverty eradication and climate resilience in a selection of low-income rural and peri-urban communities in India, Indonesia, and South Africa. We define these micro-solutions as energy-related interventions and resilience services or products\textemdashused at community, household, small production unit, or business level\textemdashthat yield both economic and climatic gains. Our analysis identifies five elements critical for the robust design of these interventions: (i) The ability to collaborate and share different kinds of expertise with a range of networks operating at multiple levels of activity; (ii) The application of place-based systems-learning perspectives that enable project participants to integrate different types of solutions to meet different needs at the same time; (iii) The ability to yield tangible short-term benefits as part of long-term strategic visions and commitment; (iv) The use of novel technologies and financial instruments in ways that foreground the needs of poor populations; and (v) The inclusion and empowerment of economically marginalised groups through institutional and technological innovations and responsible business models. We conclude that the most critical aspect of successful micro win-win solutions is support for communities' own endogenous transformative capacities as this helps ensure that solutions are shared and continuously adapted to changing conditions over time.},
keywords = {Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This research explores the agent dynamics, learning processes, and enabling conditions for the implementation of microscale win-win solutions that contribute to energy poverty eradication and climate resilience in a selection of low-income rural and peri-urban communities in India, Indonesia, and South Africa. We define these micro-solutions as energy-related interventions and resilience services or products—used at community, household, small production unit, or business level—that yield both economic and climatic gains. Our analysis identifies five elements critical for the robust design of these interventions: (i) The ability to collaborate and share different kinds of expertise with a range of networks operating at multiple levels of activity; (ii) The application of place-based systems-learning perspectives that enable project participants to integrate different types of solutions to meet different needs at the same time; (iii) The ability to yield tangible short-term benefits as part of long-term strategic visions and commitment; (iv) The use of novel technologies and financial instruments in ways that foreground the needs of poor populations; and (v) The inclusion and empowerment of economically marginalised groups through institutional and technological innovations and responsible business models. We conclude that the most critical aspect of successful micro win-win solutions is support for communities' own endogenous transformative capacities as this helps ensure that solutions are shared and continuously adapted to changing conditions over time.
A waste lexicon to negotiate extended producer responsibility in free trade agreements Journal Article
Torrente-Velásquez, Jorge M.; Ripa, Maddalena; Chifari, Rosaria; Bukkens, Sandra; Giampietro, Mario
In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 156 , pp. 104711, 2020, ISSN: 09213449.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Decision-support system, Developing economies, Extended producer responsibility, Free-trade agreement, Imported consumer goods, Landfill waste diversion
@article{Torrente-Velasquez2020a,
title = {A waste lexicon to negotiate extended producer responsibility in free trade agreements},
author = {Jorge M. Torrente-Vel\'{a}squez and Maddalena Ripa and Rosaria Chifari and Sandra Bukkens and Mario Giampietro},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0921344920300331},
doi = {10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104711},
issn = {09213449},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-05-01},
journal = {Resources, Conservation and Recycling},
volume = {156},
pages = {104711},
abstract = {textcopyright 2020 Elsevier B.V. Developing economies largely rely on imported consumer goods from the manufacturing industries of industrialized economies through free-trade agreements. After consumption, goods end-up in local waste streams and landfilled because of poorly developed waste management systems. This paper proposes a methodology to extend responsibility to exporting country manufacturers for indirect waste disposal in developing countries through imported goods. It establishes a functional relationship between the weight and volume of the imported goods and the local municipal solid waste stream derived from their consumption, by adapting the recycling concepts of by-product and co-product to the municipal solid waste stream derived from the household sector. A lexicon is formalized to conceptualize an extended-producer-responsibility information system operating at the global level between exporting and importing countries. This EPR system i) determines the recyclability, reusability and treatability attributes of imported goods based on their constitutive parts (primary package or product), as well as the material value as per the net value in the global waste market and final destination once consumed, ii) defines specific conditions regarding the goods´ materials value and structural configuration of their constitutive parts for inclusion in Free-Trade Agreement clauses, and iii) checks for the fulfilment of these proposed conditions. The proposed methodology was validated with a case study on Panama. It was found that 24%(w/w)-34.5%(v/v) of valued materials derived from goods imported in Panama through FTAs could be exported back to the country of origin, 18%(w/w)-2.8%(v/v) could be locally reused, and 58%(w/w)-62.5%(v/v) locally valorized. Only 16% (w/w)-16%(v/v) would have to be landfilled.},
keywords = {Decision-support system, Developing economies, Extended producer responsibility, Free-trade agreement, Imported consumer goods, Landfill waste diversion},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
textcopyright 2020 Elsevier B.V. Developing economies largely rely on imported consumer goods from the manufacturing industries of industrialized economies through free-trade agreements. After consumption, goods end-up in local waste streams and landfilled because of poorly developed waste management systems. This paper proposes a methodology to extend responsibility to exporting country manufacturers for indirect waste disposal in developing countries through imported goods. It establishes a functional relationship between the weight and volume of the imported goods and the local municipal solid waste stream derived from their consumption, by adapting the recycling concepts of by-product and co-product to the municipal solid waste stream derived from the household sector. A lexicon is formalized to conceptualize an extended-producer-responsibility information system operating at the global level between exporting and importing countries. This EPR system i) determines the recyclability, reusability and treatability attributes of imported goods based on their constitutive parts (primary package or product), as well as the material value as per the net value in the global waste market and final destination once consumed, ii) defines specific conditions regarding the goods´ materials value and structural configuration of their constitutive parts for inclusion in Free-Trade Agreement clauses, and iii) checks for the fulfilment of these proposed conditions. The proposed methodology was validated with a case study on Panama. It was found that 24%(w/w)-34.5%(v/v) of valued materials derived from goods imported in Panama through FTAs could be exported back to the country of origin, 18%(w/w)-2.8%(v/v) could be locally reused, and 58%(w/w)-62.5%(v/v) locally valorized. Only 16% (w/w)-16%(v/v) would have to be landfilled.
Post-normal pandemics: Why CoViD-19 requires a new approach to science Journal Article
Waltner-Toews, David; Biggeri, Annibale; Marchi, Bruna; Funtowicz, Silvio; Giampietro, Mario; O'Connor, Martin; Ravetz, Jerome R.; Saltelli, Andrea; Sluijs, Jeroen P.
In: Recenti Progressi in Medicina, 111 (4), pp. 202–204, 2020, ISSN: 20381840.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{Waltner-Toews2020,
title = {Post-normal pandemics: Why CoViD-19 requires a new approach to science},
author = {David Waltner-Toews and Annibale Biggeri and Bruna Marchi and Silvio Funtowicz and Mario Giampietro and Martin O'Connor and Jerome R. Ravetz and Andrea Saltelli and Jeroen P. Sluijs},
doi = {10.1701/3347.33181},
issn = {20381840},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-04-01},
journal = {Recenti Progressi in Medicina},
volume = {111},
number = {4},
pages = {202--204},
publisher = {Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore s.r.l.},
abstract = {In addressing pandemics, science has never seemed more needed and useful, while at the same time limited and powerless. The existing contract between science and society is falling apart. A new covenant is urgently needed to navigate the days ahead.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In addressing pandemics, science has never seemed more needed and useful, while at the same time limited and powerless. The existing contract between science and society is falling apart. A new covenant is urgently needed to navigate the days ahead.
The technique is never neutral. How methodological choices condition the generation of narratives for sustainability Journal Article
Saltelli, Andrea; Benini, Lorenzo; Funtowicz, Silvio; Giampietro, Mario; Kaiser, Matthias; Reinert, Erik; Sluijs, Jeroen P.
In: Environmental Science & Policy, 106 , pp. 87–98, 2020, ISSN: 14629011.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bioeconomics, Circular economy, Controversy studies, Decarbonization, Ethical matrices, Ethics, European environment agency, Food ethics, Green growth, Heterodox economics, Honeybees, Insectageddon, Integrated assessment, Nexus water-energy-food, Non-ricardian economics, Post normal science, Relational ecology, Sensitivity auditing, sustainability, Transitions
@article{Saltelli2020,
title = {The technique is never neutral. How methodological choices condition the generation of narratives for sustainability},
author = {Andrea Saltelli and Lorenzo Benini and Silvio Funtowicz and Mario Giampietro and Matthias Kaiser and Erik Reinert and Jeroen P. Sluijs},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1462901119304721},
doi = {10.1016/j.envsci.2020.01.008},
issn = {14629011},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-04-01},
journal = {Environmental Science & Policy},
volume = {106},
pages = {87--98},
abstract = {textcopyright 2020 The Authors How to tackle uncertainties and ensure quality in integrated assessment for sustainability? To what extent does the choice of the methodology condition the narrative produced by the analysis? The present work argues that the two questions are tightly coupled. The technique is never neutral. If we are the tools of our tools, as suggested by Thoreau, then it can also be said that language is not only a vehicle for communication, it is the driver as well. For this reason, in sustainability assessment it is not unusual to discern a close relationship between arguments made and methods adopted. In the present work a set of six reflexive analytical tools \textendash we call them lenses \textendash is suggested which could be pooled to the effect to appraise and improve the quality of integrated assessment and the resulting sustainability narratives, and to alleviate the constraints of the method-argument dependency. None of the lenses is new and each has been used before. Never have they been used together. The lenses are (i) Post-normal science (PNS), (ii) Controversy studies, (iii) Sensitivity auditing, (iv) Bioeconomics, (v) Ethics of science for governance, and (vi) Non-Ricardian economics. The six lenses are illustrated together with a set of case/narratives/arguments. The lenses allow some narratives \textendash or methodologies \textendash to be shown as either implausible or inadequate, and new narratives to be developed to tackle pressing sustainability issues, which expand the horizon of possible strategies for a solution.},
keywords = {Bioeconomics, Circular economy, Controversy studies, Decarbonization, Ethical matrices, Ethics, European environment agency, Food ethics, Green growth, Heterodox economics, Honeybees, Insectageddon, Integrated assessment, Nexus water-energy-food, Non-ricardian economics, Post normal science, Relational ecology, Sensitivity auditing, sustainability, Transitions},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
textcopyright 2020 The Authors How to tackle uncertainties and ensure quality in integrated assessment for sustainability? To what extent does the choice of the methodology condition the narrative produced by the analysis? The present work argues that the two questions are tightly coupled. The technique is never neutral. If we are the tools of our tools, as suggested by Thoreau, then it can also be said that language is not only a vehicle for communication, it is the driver as well. For this reason, in sustainability assessment it is not unusual to discern a close relationship between arguments made and methods adopted. In the present work a set of six reflexive analytical tools – we call them lenses – is suggested which could be pooled to the effect to appraise and improve the quality of integrated assessment and the resulting sustainability narratives, and to alleviate the constraints of the method-argument dependency. None of the lenses is new and each has been used before. Never have they been used together. The lenses are (i) Post-normal science (PNS), (ii) Controversy studies, (iii) Sensitivity auditing, (iv) Bioeconomics, (v) Ethics of science for governance, and (vi) Non-Ricardian economics. The six lenses are illustrated together with a set of case/narratives/arguments. The lenses allow some narratives – or methodologies – to be shown as either implausible or inadequate, and new narratives to be developed to tackle pressing sustainability issues, which expand the horizon of possible strategies for a solution.
Learning and Teaching Through the Online Environmental Justice Atlas: From Empowering Activists to Motivating Students Journal Article
Walter, Mariana; Weber, Lena; Temper, Leah
In: New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2020 (161), pp. 101–121, 2020, ISSN: 0271-0633.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{Walter2020,
title = {Learning and Teaching Through the Online Environmental Justice Atlas: From Empowering Activists to Motivating Students},
author = {Mariana Walter and Lena Weber and Leah Temper},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/tl.20376 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/tl.20376 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tl.20376},
doi = {10.1002/tl.20376},
issn = {0271-0633},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-01},
journal = {New Directions for Teaching and Learning},
volume = {2020},
number = {161},
pages = {101--121},
publisher = {John Wiley & Sons, Ltd},
abstract = {The chapter analyzes how the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas.org), an online interactive platform developed to visualize and study struggles against environmental injustices worldwide, is used in higher education curricula to teach environmental justice and sustainability themes.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The chapter analyzes how the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas.org), an online interactive platform developed to visualize and study struggles against environmental injustices worldwide, is used in higher education curricula to teach environmental justice and sustainability themes.
Multi-scale integrated evaluation of the sustainability of large-scale use of alternative feeds in salmon aquaculture Journal Article
Cadillo-Benalcazar, Juan J.; Giampietro, Mario; Bukkens, Sandra G. F.; Strand, Roger
In: Journal of Cleaner Production, 248 , pp. 119210, 2020, ISSN: 09596526.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Alternative aquafeeds, Insects, MuSIASEM, Norway, Quantitative story-telling, Salmon aquaculture
@article{Cadillo-Benalcazar2020a,
title = {Multi-scale integrated evaluation of the sustainability of large-scale use of alternative feeds in salmon aquaculture},
author = {Juan J. Cadillo-Benalcazar and Mario Giampietro and Sandra G. F. Bukkens and Roger Strand},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0959652619340806},
doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119210},
issn = {09596526},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-01},
journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},
volume = {248},
pages = {119210},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {The steady increase in production volume of salmon aquaculture has sharpened concerns about its sustainability. In particular the production of salmon feed is a reason for concern given its reliance on scarce natural resources, such as wild fish captures. Multi-scale integrated analysis is put forward as a tool to anticipate the environmental and socio-economic impacts of large-scale implementation of alternative salmon feeds, considering both plant and insect sources as potential replacements of fish meal and fish oil. The proposed accounting framework, based on relational analysis across hierarchical levels, describes the patterns of required inputs using biophysical and economic variables. It also considers the inputs used by external systems for the production of imported feed, thus providing a coherent assessment of the sustainability of the production system in terms of feasibility, viability, and desirability. The analytical tool-kit is illustrated in conceptual terms and then applied to the Norwegian salmon aquaculture, both in diagnostic (describing the actual situation) and anticipatory mode (examining feed scenarios). Results are used in an exercise of quantitative story-telling to check the quality of the narratives currently shaping policy discussions on aquaculture. Quantitative story-telling is a heuristic approach aimed at checking the robustness of knowledge claims in face of uncertainty. It is concluded that rearing insects in the salmon feed production chain enlarges the option space of feed sources by opening up the possibility of using locally-produced seaweed and organic waste, but also raises the level of uncertainty with regard to the possible insurgence of negative side effects.},
keywords = {Alternative aquafeeds, Insects, MuSIASEM, Norway, Quantitative story-telling, Salmon aquaculture},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The steady increase in production volume of salmon aquaculture has sharpened concerns about its sustainability. In particular the production of salmon feed is a reason for concern given its reliance on scarce natural resources, such as wild fish captures. Multi-scale integrated analysis is put forward as a tool to anticipate the environmental and socio-economic impacts of large-scale implementation of alternative salmon feeds, considering both plant and insect sources as potential replacements of fish meal and fish oil. The proposed accounting framework, based on relational analysis across hierarchical levels, describes the patterns of required inputs using biophysical and economic variables. It also considers the inputs used by external systems for the production of imported feed, thus providing a coherent assessment of the sustainability of the production system in terms of feasibility, viability, and desirability. The analytical tool-kit is illustrated in conceptual terms and then applied to the Norwegian salmon aquaculture, both in diagnostic (describing the actual situation) and anticipatory mode (examining feed scenarios). Results are used in an exercise of quantitative story-telling to check the quality of the narratives currently shaping policy discussions on aquaculture. Quantitative story-telling is a heuristic approach aimed at checking the robustness of knowledge claims in face of uncertainty. It is concluded that rearing insects in the salmon feed production chain enlarges the option space of feed sources by opening up the possibility of using locally-produced seaweed and organic waste, but also raises the level of uncertainty with regard to the possible insurgence of negative side effects.
Landfill reactions to society actions: The case of local and global air pollutants of Cerro Patacón in Panama Journal Article
Torrente-Velásquez, Jorge M.; Giampietro, Mario; Ripa, Maddalena; Chifari, Rosaria
In: Science of The Total Environment, 706 , pp. 135988, 2020, ISSN: 00489697.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Air pollution, Environmental pressure, Landfill emissions, Panama City, Uncontrolled municipal waste disposal
@article{Torrente-Velasquez2020,
title = {Landfill reactions to society actions: The case of local and global air pollutants of Cerro Patac\'{o}n in Panama},
author = {Jorge M. Torrente-Vel\'{a}squez and Mario Giampietro and Maddalena Ripa and Rosaria Chifari},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0048969719359832},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135988},
issn = {00489697},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-01},
journal = {Science of The Total Environment},
volume = {706},
pages = {135988},
abstract = {textcopyright 2019 Elsevier B.V. This paper studies landfill emissions and the related environmental and health risks in Panama City, with the aim to sensitize the population about the harmful effects of irresponsible resource consumption and non-deliberate solid waste generation that it is disposed of in an uncontrolled manner in landfills. Empirical data on Cerro Patac\'{o}n, Panama City's landfill was obtained to describe the status of municipal waste disposal. Ten known methane generation models were used to estimate the yearly emission rate of methane from the landfill for a 100-year period starting from its inception in 1986. From the models used, the GasSIM model was chosen to estimate emission rates of six long-term hazardous air pollutants. The AERMOD source dispersion model was used to simulate their atmospheric downwind dispersion by levels of concentration over nearby affected communities; results were mapped in Google Earth. The relative contributions by population of the 32 towns making up Panama City to the forecasted waste generation in 2022 and related hazardous air pollutants emission rates from the landfill were assessed. It was found that Cerro Patac\'{o}n will generate 45% of the countrywide methane generation by 2022; an average of 47 Gg. The solid waste generated by the 1.5 million inhabitants of Panama City impacts the health of $sim$73,600 inhabitants in nearby communities through the dispersion of hazardous atmospheric pollutants derived from the landfill. The highest emission rates were from hydrogen sulfide and dichloromethane, which can be largely attributed to the waste generated by the communities of Juan Diaz and Toc\'{u}men. The concentration of hydrogen sulfide and benzene was over the reference concentration (uncertainty factor spanning three orders of magnitude) for all communities and years simulated. The concentration of vinyl chloride was over the RfC for all communities and years simulated, except in 2018 for 12 communities.},
keywords = {Air pollution, Environmental pressure, Landfill emissions, Panama City, Uncontrolled municipal waste disposal},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
textcopyright 2019 Elsevier B.V. This paper studies landfill emissions and the related environmental and health risks in Panama City, with the aim to sensitize the population about the harmful effects of irresponsible resource consumption and non-deliberate solid waste generation that it is disposed of in an uncontrolled manner in landfills. Empirical data on Cerro Patacón, Panama City's landfill was obtained to describe the status of municipal waste disposal. Ten known methane generation models were used to estimate the yearly emission rate of methane from the landfill for a 100-year period starting from its inception in 1986. From the models used, the GasSIM model was chosen to estimate emission rates of six long-term hazardous air pollutants. The AERMOD source dispersion model was used to simulate their atmospheric downwind dispersion by levels of concentration over nearby affected communities; results were mapped in Google Earth. The relative contributions by population of the 32 towns making up Panama City to the forecasted waste generation in 2022 and related hazardous air pollutants emission rates from the landfill were assessed. It was found that Cerro Patacón will generate 45% of the countrywide methane generation by 2022; an average of 47 Gg. The solid waste generated by the 1.5 million inhabitants of Panama City impacts the health of $sim$73,600 inhabitants in nearby communities through the dispersion of hazardous atmospheric pollutants derived from the landfill. The highest emission rates were from hydrogen sulfide and dichloromethane, which can be largely attributed to the waste generated by the communities of Juan Diaz and Tocúmen. The concentration of hydrogen sulfide and benzene was over the reference concentration (uncertainty factor spanning three orders of magnitude) for all communities and years simulated. The concentration of vinyl chloride was over the RfC for all communities and years simulated, except in 2018 for 12 communities.
Robust information for effective municipal solid waste policies: Identifying behaviour of waste generation across spatial levels of organization Journal Article
Torrente-Velásquez, Jorge M.; Chifari, Rosaria; Ripa, Maddalena; Giampietro, Mario
In: Waste Management, 103 , pp. 208–217, 2020, ISSN: 0956053X.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Influencing factors, Multi-scale analysis, Municipal solid waste generation, Panama district, Waste policies developing countries
@article{Torrente-Velasquez2020b,
title = {Robust information for effective municipal solid waste policies: Identifying behaviour of waste generation across spatial levels of organization},
author = {Jorge M. Torrente-Vel\'{a}squez and Rosaria Chifari and Maddalena Ripa and Mario Giampietro},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0956053X1930786X},
doi = {10.1016/j.wasman.2019.12.032},
issn = {0956053X},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-02-01},
journal = {Waste Management},
volume = {103},
pages = {208--217},
abstract = {textcopyright 2019 Elsevier Ltd Existing studies have studied influencing factors of MSW generation behaviour at different spatial levels of organization, but always one at a time and not simultaneously. Income is a strong influencing factor, affecting MSW generation from the individual to the country level, capable of hiding the effects of the others. This study shows that when MSW generation behaviour is holistically analysed across multiple levels of organization (individuals, households, and communities) hierarchically organized as functional units of MSW generation within a specific study area, it is possible to identify influencing factors in addition to income (education, demographic, health, ethnic, economic activity and financial types) as explanatory variables. Increasing the number of influencing factors of MSW generation makes it possible to create a robust knowledge base for MSW management policies in fast-growing urban areas of developing countries, improving the information used to select proper policies and plans within their MSW management systems and avoiding overlapping policies causing legal gaps. Betania, an urban area of the Panama City district, has been chosen as a case study area. The results show that the household income explains 86% of its member\'{s} MSW generation and the community indigenous population explains 21% of household\'{s} MSW generation. It is concluded that MSW generation is not linear across levels, it has as many degrees of freedom as influencing factors shaping the levels of organization where functional units generating waste exist. Influencing factors appearing at each spatial level affects MSW generation in an interdependent manner in variable degrees of magnitude.},
keywords = {Influencing factors, Multi-scale analysis, Municipal solid waste generation, Panama district, Waste policies developing countries},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
textcopyright 2019 Elsevier Ltd Existing studies have studied influencing factors of MSW generation behaviour at different spatial levels of organization, but always one at a time and not simultaneously. Income is a strong influencing factor, affecting MSW generation from the individual to the country level, capable of hiding the effects of the others. This study shows that when MSW generation behaviour is holistically analysed across multiple levels of organization (individuals, households, and communities) hierarchically organized as functional units of MSW generation within a specific study area, it is possible to identify influencing factors in addition to income (education, demographic, health, ethnic, economic activity and financial types) as explanatory variables. Increasing the number of influencing factors of MSW generation makes it possible to create a robust knowledge base for MSW management policies in fast-growing urban areas of developing countries, improving the information used to select proper policies and plans within their MSW management systems and avoiding overlapping policies causing legal gaps. Betania, an urban area of the Panama City district, has been chosen as a case study area. The results show that the household income explains 86% of its memberś MSW generation and the community indigenous population explains 21% of householdś MSW generation. It is concluded that MSW generation is not linear across levels, it has as many degrees of freedom as influencing factors shaping the levels of organization where functional units generating waste exist. Influencing factors appearing at each spatial level affects MSW generation in an interdependent manner in variable degrees of magnitude.
Fallacies of energy efficiency indicators: Recognizing the complexity of the metabolic pattern of the economy Journal Article
Velasco-Fernández, R.; Dunlop, T.; Giampietro, M.
In: Energy Policy, 137 , pp. 111089, 2020, ISSN: 03014215.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: End-use matrix, Energy efficiency, Energy performance, Energy policy, Jevons paradox, Metabolic pattern
@article{Velasco-Fernandez2020a,
title = {Fallacies of energy efficiency indicators: Recognizing the complexity of the metabolic pattern of the economy},
author = {R. Velasco-Fern\'{a}ndez and T. Dunlop and M. Giampietro},
doi = {10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111089},
issn = {03014215},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-02-01},
journal = {Energy Policy},
volume = {137},
pages = {111089},
publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},
abstract = {The strategy of energy efficiency to save energy is deceptively simple: the idea is to use less input for the highest amount of useful output. However, on a practical and conceptual level, efficiency is an ambiguous and problematic concept to implement. Of particular concern is the lack of contextual and qualitative information provided in energy efficiency measurements based on simple ratios. Oversimplification of efficiency measurements can have a detrimental effect on the choice of energy policies. Efficiency measurements are particularly problematic on a macroeconomic scale where a significant amount of meaningful information is lost through the aggregation of data into a simple ratio (economic energy intensity). First, practical examples are presented flagging conceptual problems with energy efficiency indicators, then an alternative accounting method\textemdashthe end-use matrix\textemdashbased on the concept of the metabolic pattern of social-ecological systems is illustrated to show the possibility of enriching efficiency indicators by adding qualitative and contextual information across multiple scales and dimensions. This method unpacks and structures salient energy input and output information in a meaningful and transparent way by generating a rich multi-level and multi-dimensional information space.},
keywords = {End-use matrix, Energy efficiency, Energy performance, Energy policy, Jevons paradox, Metabolic pattern},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The strategy of energy efficiency to save energy is deceptively simple: the idea is to use less input for the highest amount of useful output. However, on a practical and conceptual level, efficiency is an ambiguous and problematic concept to implement. Of particular concern is the lack of contextual and qualitative information provided in energy efficiency measurements based on simple ratios. Oversimplification of efficiency measurements can have a detrimental effect on the choice of energy policies. Efficiency measurements are particularly problematic on a macroeconomic scale where a significant amount of meaningful information is lost through the aggregation of data into a simple ratio (economic energy intensity). First, practical examples are presented flagging conceptual problems with energy efficiency indicators, then an alternative accounting method—the end-use matrix—based on the concept of the metabolic pattern of social-ecological systems is illustrated to show the possibility of enriching efficiency indicators by adding qualitative and contextual information across multiple scales and dimensions. This method unpacks and structures salient energy input and output information in a meaningful and transparent way by generating a rich multi-level and multi-dimensional information space.
Assessing the sustainability of urban eco-systems through Emergy-based circular economy indicators Journal Article
Santagata, Remo; Zucaro, Amalia; Viglia, Silvio; Ripa, Maddalena; Tian, Xu; Ulgiati, Sergio
In: Ecological Indicators, 109 , pp. 105859, 2020, ISSN: 1470160X.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Circular economy, Circular indicators, Emergy Accounting, Sustainability assessment, Urban systems
@article{Santagata2020,
title = {Assessing the sustainability of urban eco-systems through Emergy-based circular economy indicators},
author = {Remo Santagata and Amalia Zucaro and Silvio Viglia and Maddalena Ripa and Xu Tian and Sergio Ulgiati},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1470160X19308532},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105859},
issn = {1470160X},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-02-01},
journal = {Ecological Indicators},
volume = {109},
pages = {105859},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {Circular Economy (CE) concepts and tools are getting increasing attention with regard to their implementation in agricultural, urban and industrial sectors towards innovative business models to optimize resource use, process performances and development policies. However, conventional biophysical and economic indicators hardly fit CE characteristics. Life cycle assessment, footprint and economic cost-benefit indicators, do not fully capture the specificity of a closed loop CE framework, characterized by feedbacks and resource use minimization and quality assessment. Commonly used mono-dimensional indicators seem unable to successfully relate the process performance and the use of ecosystem services and natural capital, in that they do not assess the environmental quality and sustainability (renewability, fit to use, recycle potential) of resources and the complexity of interaction between agro/industrial/urban environments and socioeconomic systems, and translate into an incomplete and inadequate picture, far from an effective CE perspective. In this study, Emergy Accounting method (EMA) is used to design an improved approach to CE systemic aspects, focusing on the importance of new indicators capable of capturing both resource generation (upstream), product (downstream) and systems dimensions. This conceptual scheme is built around the case study of the City of Napoli's economy (Campania region, Southern Italy) considering the surrounding agro-industrial area with its smaller urban settlements. In order to design a reasonable and reliable CE framework, a number of already existing and innovative processes is analyzed and discussed, through a bottom-up procedure capable to account for CE development options based on the recovery of locally available and still usable resources (i.e., conversion of waste cooking oil into biodiesel, conversion of slaughterhouse residues to power and chemicals, recovery and conversion of agro-waste residues, amongst others). The result highlighted that EMA was capable to keep track of the improvement generated by the implemented circularity patterns in terms of reduced total emergy of the system. Moreover, EMA indicators suggested that, in any case, the CE business framework should be intended as a transitional strategy towards more feasible paradigms.},
keywords = {Circular economy, Circular indicators, Emergy Accounting, Sustainability assessment, Urban systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Circular Economy (CE) concepts and tools are getting increasing attention with regard to their implementation in agricultural, urban and industrial sectors towards innovative business models to optimize resource use, process performances and development policies. However, conventional biophysical and economic indicators hardly fit CE characteristics. Life cycle assessment, footprint and economic cost-benefit indicators, do not fully capture the specificity of a closed loop CE framework, characterized by feedbacks and resource use minimization and quality assessment. Commonly used mono-dimensional indicators seem unable to successfully relate the process performance and the use of ecosystem services and natural capital, in that they do not assess the environmental quality and sustainability (renewability, fit to use, recycle potential) of resources and the complexity of interaction between agro/industrial/urban environments and socioeconomic systems, and translate into an incomplete and inadequate picture, far from an effective CE perspective. In this study, Emergy Accounting method (EMA) is used to design an improved approach to CE systemic aspects, focusing on the importance of new indicators capable of capturing both resource generation (upstream), product (downstream) and systems dimensions. This conceptual scheme is built around the case study of the City of Napoli's economy (Campania region, Southern Italy) considering the surrounding agro-industrial area with its smaller urban settlements. In order to design a reasonable and reliable CE framework, a number of already existing and innovative processes is analyzed and discussed, through a bottom-up procedure capable to account for CE development options based on the recovery of locally available and still usable resources (i.e., conversion of waste cooking oil into biodiesel, conversion of slaughterhouse residues to power and chemicals, recovery and conversion of agro-waste residues, amongst others). The result highlighted that EMA was capable to keep track of the improvement generated by the implemented circularity patterns in terms of reduced total emergy of the system. Moreover, EMA indicators suggested that, in any case, the CE business framework should be intended as a transitional strategy towards more feasible paradigms.
Renner, Ansel; Giampietro, Mario
In: Energy Research & Social Science, 59 , pp. 101279, 2020, ISSN: 22146296.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Complexity, Electricity, Quantitative story-telling, Renewable energy, Storage
@article{Renner2020a,
title = {Socio-technical discourses of European electricity decarbonization: Contesting narrative credibility and legitimacy with quantitative story-telling},
author = {Ansel Renner and Mario Giampietro},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2214629619302968},
doi = {10.1016/j.erss.2019.101279},
issn = {22146296},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Energy Research & Social Science},
volume = {59},
pages = {101279},
abstract = {This paper presents an innovative approach to the responsible use of quantitative analysis when dealing with the governance of sustainability. Rather than using complicated models which try to predict and control the future evolution of complex adaptive systems, quantitative story-telling is proposed to check, first of all, the plausibility of proposed policies. As a case study, we check the plausibility of ‘a radical decarbonization of the European economy based on a quick deployment of alternative sources of electrical energy generation'. Although our case study includes a high-level set of quantitative results, it is primarily methodological. The procedure of quantitative story-telling includes: (1) identification of the narratives used to inform policy; (2) identification of the relevant factors determining the feasibility, viability and desirability of expected results; (3) a quantitative analysis which falsifies at least one of these three factors, indicating an implausibility of the expected results; and (4) identification of knowledge gaps in the existing discussions over the issue. The modern European energy system does need an urgent and radical transformation. However, before imposing drastic and ambitious policies, it is essential to check the quality of the diagnosis. Our analysis flags the existence of a few reasons for concern with regard to the current story-telling.},
keywords = {Complexity, Electricity, Quantitative story-telling, Renewable energy, Storage},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper presents an innovative approach to the responsible use of quantitative analysis when dealing with the governance of sustainability. Rather than using complicated models which try to predict and control the future evolution of complex adaptive systems, quantitative story-telling is proposed to check, first of all, the plausibility of proposed policies. As a case study, we check the plausibility of ‘a radical decarbonization of the European economy based on a quick deployment of alternative sources of electrical energy generation'. Although our case study includes a high-level set of quantitative results, it is primarily methodological. The procedure of quantitative story-telling includes: (1) identification of the narratives used to inform policy; (2) identification of the relevant factors determining the feasibility, viability and desirability of expected results; (3) a quantitative analysis which falsifies at least one of these three factors, indicating an implausibility of the expected results; and (4) identification of knowledge gaps in the existing discussions over the issue. The modern European energy system does need an urgent and radical transformation. However, before imposing drastic and ambitious policies, it is essential to check the quality of the diagnosis. Our analysis flags the existence of a few reasons for concern with regard to the current story-telling.
Jácome, Rony Mauricio Parra
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2020, ISBN: 9788449096624.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Energy metabolism, Oil extraction, sustainability
@phdthesis{ParraJacome2020,
title = {Biophysical constraints of fossil energy systems: studying the metabolism of ecuador's oil extraction-methodologies and application},
author = {Rony Mauricio Parra J\'{a}come},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10803/670720},
isbn = {9788449096624},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
pages = {188},
school = {Universitat Aut\`{o}noma de Barcelona},
abstract = {The concept of “peak” in the trends of production of high quality oil is now well established. This is reflected by the dynamics towards the extraction of unconventional and lower quality oil reserves that demand greater flows of materials and energy in the metabolic pathway. At the same time, developed countries maintain an onerous but ineffective commitment to the partial or total substitution of fossil sources with renewable energy. This effort requires the generation of a complete new field of research capable of supplying the require information over the biophysical feasibility and viability of these solutions. This thesis proposes to expand the understanding of the problems related to current energy systems. It does so by analyzing in depth the performance of oil extraction as a primary source of energy and its relationship with society in the production of energy carriers, identifying its biophysical limitations in terms of scarcity and sink. This thesis presents innovative accounting methodologies based on applications of the MuSIASEM accounting scheme facilitating the understanding of the biophysical implications of oil extraction. The applications are illustrated in a multi-scale and integrated analysis of the Ecuadorian oil sector, avoiding the simplification of information, typical of reductionism, found in similar studies carried out using classic economic narratives. The proposed approach integrates the characterization of several relevant factors into a multi-criteria definition of the performance of a process of extraction of primary energy sources. It identifies profiles of relevant inputs and outputs of flows and funds described using the concept of “structural processors” that can be defined across different levels of analysis \textendash i.e. field / block / geographical area. Combinations of structural processors are analyzed as functional complexes whose characteristics depend on the quality of the exploited resource \textendash i.e. heavy, medium, and light oil production. In this way, we can study changes in the performance of oil fields due to their aging. Changes in the availability and quality of oil (and the need for freshwater) do affect the levels of environmental pressure in terms of required sink capacity - to absorb polluted water and GHG emissions. This framing allows to study the present and future relation between the primary source of energy (oil extraction) available to a society and its ability to produce, distribute and use intermediate products to guarantee their end uses in the various socioeconomic sectors. To achieve this task the analytical framework generates future scenarios allowing the metabolic understanding of the activities of the oil extraction systems. That is, it allows the identification of metabolic rates and biophysical constraints both in the supply side (oil extraction system) and in the demand side (energy end uses) in the Ecuadorian society. Due to the integration of the quantitative analysis across different dimensions and levels of analysis, the results of this type of analysis provide salient information to the discussions of energy policy across the technical, economic and environmental domain.},
keywords = {Energy metabolism, Oil extraction, sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
The concept of “peak” in the trends of production of high quality oil is now well established. This is reflected by the dynamics towards the extraction of unconventional and lower quality oil reserves that demand greater flows of materials and energy in the metabolic pathway. At the same time, developed countries maintain an onerous but ineffective commitment to the partial or total substitution of fossil sources with renewable energy. This effort requires the generation of a complete new field of research capable of supplying the require information over the biophysical feasibility and viability of these solutions. This thesis proposes to expand the understanding of the problems related to current energy systems. It does so by analyzing in depth the performance of oil extraction as a primary source of energy and its relationship with society in the production of energy carriers, identifying its biophysical limitations in terms of scarcity and sink. This thesis presents innovative accounting methodologies based on applications of the MuSIASEM accounting scheme facilitating the understanding of the biophysical implications of oil extraction. The applications are illustrated in a multi-scale and integrated analysis of the Ecuadorian oil sector, avoiding the simplification of information, typical of reductionism, found in similar studies carried out using classic economic narratives. The proposed approach integrates the characterization of several relevant factors into a multi-criteria definition of the performance of a process of extraction of primary energy sources. It identifies profiles of relevant inputs and outputs of flows and funds described using the concept of “structural processors” that can be defined across different levels of analysis – i.e. field / block / geographical area. Combinations of structural processors are analyzed as functional complexes whose characteristics depend on the quality of the exploited resource – i.e. heavy, medium, and light oil production. In this way, we can study changes in the performance of oil fields due to their aging. Changes in the availability and quality of oil (and the need for freshwater) do affect the levels of environmental pressure in terms of required sink capacity - to absorb polluted water and GHG emissions. This framing allows to study the present and future relation between the primary source of energy (oil extraction) available to a society and its ability to produce, distribute and use intermediate products to guarantee their end uses in the various socioeconomic sectors. To achieve this task the analytical framework generates future scenarios allowing the metabolic understanding of the activities of the oil extraction systems. That is, it allows the identification of metabolic rates and biophysical constraints both in the supply side (oil extraction system) and in the demand side (energy end uses) in the Ecuadorian society. Due to the integration of the quantitative analysis across different dimensions and levels of analysis, the results of this type of analysis provide salient information to the discussions of energy policy across the technical, economic and environmental domain.
Hydro-social transformations in the Lake Urmia basin, Iran PhD Thesis
Ženko, Maja
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2020, ISBN: 9788449094439.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Hydro-social territory, Political ecology, vulnerability
@phdthesis{Zenko2020,
title = {Hydro-social transformations in the Lake Urmia basin, Iran},
author = {Maja \v{Z}enko},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10803/670989},
isbn = {9788449094439},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
pages = {128},
school = {Universitat Aut\`{o}noma de Barcelona},
abstract = {Large-scale anthropogenic alterations of water flows through hydraulic infrastructure are the manifestation of hydro-social imaginaries of politically and socially powerful groups and often produce a profoundly unequal distribution of burdens and benefits for different social groups or regions, reflecting their social and political power. Those that are marginalized can suffer manufactured water scarcity, which disturbs the natural, economic and socio-political order of those water users, thereby severely affecting their livelihoods. It is downstream communities that are often the ones whose socio-natural environment is most affected by alterations of water flows, while also receiving the least benefits that such projects create. Informed by the field of political ecology, this thesis builds on extensive fieldwork undertaken in the Lake Urmia basin in north-western Iran to investigate the complex relationship between water and society, focusing on the various effects of the manufactured water scarcity on the disadvantaged downstream water users. First, the thesis problematizes the unequal vulnerability of the members of different ethnic minorities facing the same environmental disaster and links this with social and political power dynamics at the state level. It identifies the key elements that lead to the enhanced vulnerability of one ethnic group versus another and traces the historical dynamics of empowerment and marginalization of the two at the state level to explore the processes that led to their current differential status. It argues that the understanding of the development of unequal power relations within a society at the macro-level is key to reducing this inequality at the micro, or household, level. Second, it uses the lens of hydro-social territories to analyze the contested nature of the reconstructions of such territories, especially through the process of governmentalization, and links this with the under-researched impacts on mental health. This is done by identifying the pathways through which manufactured water scarcity leads to psychological disorders experienced by disadvantaged water users. Finally, adopting the lens of hydro-social cycle and waterscape, the thesis explores how waterscapes are produced by advancing particular narratives of meanings, values, and roles of water employed by the dominant groups, while profoundly undermining local and traditional water practices. It further suggests how the concepts of waterscape and hydro-social cycle could inform paradigms and tools currently in use in policy-making to become more inclusive and encompass the interests of all stakeholders.},
keywords = {Hydro-social territory, Political ecology, vulnerability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
Large-scale anthropogenic alterations of water flows through hydraulic infrastructure are the manifestation of hydro-social imaginaries of politically and socially powerful groups and often produce a profoundly unequal distribution of burdens and benefits for different social groups or regions, reflecting their social and political power. Those that are marginalized can suffer manufactured water scarcity, which disturbs the natural, economic and socio-political order of those water users, thereby severely affecting their livelihoods. It is downstream communities that are often the ones whose socio-natural environment is most affected by alterations of water flows, while also receiving the least benefits that such projects create. Informed by the field of political ecology, this thesis builds on extensive fieldwork undertaken in the Lake Urmia basin in north-western Iran to investigate the complex relationship between water and society, focusing on the various effects of the manufactured water scarcity on the disadvantaged downstream water users. First, the thesis problematizes the unequal vulnerability of the members of different ethnic minorities facing the same environmental disaster and links this with social and political power dynamics at the state level. It identifies the key elements that lead to the enhanced vulnerability of one ethnic group versus another and traces the historical dynamics of empowerment and marginalization of the two at the state level to explore the processes that led to their current differential status. It argues that the understanding of the development of unequal power relations within a society at the macro-level is key to reducing this inequality at the micro, or household, level. Second, it uses the lens of hydro-social territories to analyze the contested nature of the reconstructions of such territories, especially through the process of governmentalization, and links this with the under-researched impacts on mental health. This is done by identifying the pathways through which manufactured water scarcity leads to psychological disorders experienced by disadvantaged water users. Finally, adopting the lens of hydro-social cycle and waterscape, the thesis explores how waterscapes are produced by advancing particular narratives of meanings, values, and roles of water employed by the dominant groups, while profoundly undermining local and traditional water practices. It further suggests how the concepts of waterscape and hydro-social cycle could inform paradigms and tools currently in use in policy-making to become more inclusive and encompass the interests of all stakeholders.
Matthews, K B; Waylen, K A; Blackstock, K L; Juarez-Bourke, A; Miller, D G; Wardell-Johnson, D H; Rivington, M; Giampietro, M
In: Elsawah, S. (Ed.): MODSIM2019, 23rd International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, pp. 877–883, Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2019, ISBN: 9780975840092.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: common agricultural policy, nexus, science-policy, Societal metabolism, sustainability
@inproceedings{Matthews2019a,
title = {Science for Sustainability: Using Societal Metabolism Analysis to check the robustness of European Union policy narratives in the water, energy and food nexus},
author = {K B Matthews and K A Waylen and K L Blackstock and A Juarez-Bourke and D G Miller and D H Wardell-Johnson and M Rivington and M Giampietro},
editor = {S. Elsawah},
url = {https://mssanz.org.au/modsim2019/J5/matthews.pdf},
doi = {10.36334/modsim.2019.J5.matthews},
isbn = {9780975840092},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-12-01},
booktitle = {MODSIM2019, 23rd International Congress on Modelling and Simulation},
pages = {877--883},
publisher = {Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand},
abstract = {This paper is an output of an ongoing EU Horizon 2020 project (MAGIC) that aims to better understand how EU water, food, energy, waste and biodiversity policies link with each other and with EU climate and sustainability goals, framed in terms of the nexus concept. The project conducts transdisciplinary research with policy makers using an approach termed Quantitative Story Telling (QST), as an interface between science and policy domains. QST combines semantic (qualitative) and formal (quantitative) approaches to assess the plausibility, normative fairness and analytical coherence of narratives being used by stakeholders to justify either the status quo or alternative policy positions for the EU. The paper focuses on those aspects of the MAGIC analysis highlighted by external reviewers of the project as being most insightful and having the most potential value to a wider community of practice concerned with supporting or evaluating sustainability related policies. The paper outlines the process of QST used and the quantitative method used, multi-scale societal metabolism analyses (SMA) assessing the funds of land and human time needed to create the flows of materials, energy and money that reproduce and maintain the identity of the system of interest. As one of the five MAGIC policy studies, the authors focused on a key EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) narrative. CAP is a policy which is now expected to deliver multiple objectives across policy domains, but as implemented, potentially contributes to a tension between supporting competitiveness and delivering public goods. High-level findings that quantify aspects of this tension are presented, followed by specific technical issues found when conducting the analysis. The paper then reflects on the authors' use of these data to discuss with policy-makers issues where the tension between competitiveness and public goods are most stark; a more interpretive, qualitative phase of analysis that builds on the quantitative analysis. The outputs of the analysis used within the CAP QST imply the need for policy makers to consider alternative issue framings, otherwise they risk appearing to make only a rhetorical commitment to defining and delivering EU sustainability goals. The societal metabolic framing used in MAGIC highlights the biophysical underpinnings of EU farming systems; their dependence on non-renewable resources and the pressures generated by them that degrade ecosystem functions or services. A societal metabolic framing also means considering multiple scales, since otherwise EU policy is blind to the effects it has on sustainability beyond the borders of the EU. If research impact is defined in terms of acknowledged change in stakeholders' concepts or behaviours (an expected impact for the project by funders) then to date, there has been limited 'success'. While the rhetoric of 'evidence-based policy' remains prominent, it remains extremely challenging to engage with policy makers in deliberation on evidence that challenges conventional narratives. This was the case even for staff with extensive experience of inter-and transdisciplinary working at the science-policy interface. In conclusion, science for sustainability policy could benefit from adopting the approaches like QST, which can integrate and balance the semantic and formal parts of science for policy research. For the wider science-policy community of practice, the key insight is that for processes like QST the key decisions are made at the interfaces between the sematic and formal phases of analysis (what is modelled and why) and the formal and semantic phases of analysis (what the outputs mean and why they shouldn't be ignored).},
keywords = {common agricultural policy, nexus, science-policy, Societal metabolism, sustainability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
This paper is an output of an ongoing EU Horizon 2020 project (MAGIC) that aims to better understand how EU water, food, energy, waste and biodiversity policies link with each other and with EU climate and sustainability goals, framed in terms of the nexus concept. The project conducts transdisciplinary research with policy makers using an approach termed Quantitative Story Telling (QST), as an interface between science and policy domains. QST combines semantic (qualitative) and formal (quantitative) approaches to assess the plausibility, normative fairness and analytical coherence of narratives being used by stakeholders to justify either the status quo or alternative policy positions for the EU. The paper focuses on those aspects of the MAGIC analysis highlighted by external reviewers of the project as being most insightful and having the most potential value to a wider community of practice concerned with supporting or evaluating sustainability related policies. The paper outlines the process of QST used and the quantitative method used, multi-scale societal metabolism analyses (SMA) assessing the funds of land and human time needed to create the flows of materials, energy and money that reproduce and maintain the identity of the system of interest. As one of the five MAGIC policy studies, the authors focused on a key EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) narrative. CAP is a policy which is now expected to deliver multiple objectives across policy domains, but as implemented, potentially contributes to a tension between supporting competitiveness and delivering public goods. High-level findings that quantify aspects of this tension are presented, followed by specific technical issues found when conducting the analysis. The paper then reflects on the authors' use of these data to discuss with policy-makers issues where the tension between competitiveness and public goods are most stark; a more interpretive, qualitative phase of analysis that builds on the quantitative analysis. The outputs of the analysis used within the CAP QST imply the need for policy makers to consider alternative issue framings, otherwise they risk appearing to make only a rhetorical commitment to defining and delivering EU sustainability goals. The societal metabolic framing used in MAGIC highlights the biophysical underpinnings of EU farming systems; their dependence on non-renewable resources and the pressures generated by them that degrade ecosystem functions or services. A societal metabolic framing also means considering multiple scales, since otherwise EU policy is blind to the effects it has on sustainability beyond the borders of the EU. If research impact is defined in terms of acknowledged change in stakeholders' concepts or behaviours (an expected impact for the project by funders) then to date, there has been limited 'success'. While the rhetoric of 'evidence-based policy' remains prominent, it remains extremely challenging to engage with policy makers in deliberation on evidence that challenges conventional narratives. This was the case even for staff with extensive experience of inter-and transdisciplinary working at the science-policy interface. In conclusion, science for sustainability policy could benefit from adopting the approaches like QST, which can integrate and balance the semantic and formal parts of science for policy research. For the wider science-policy community of practice, the key insight is that for processes like QST the key decisions are made at the interfaces between the sematic and formal phases of analysis (what is modelled and why) and the formal and semantic phases of analysis (what the outputs mean and why they shouldn't be ignored).
Editorial: Perspectives on energy futures, environment and wellbeing Journal Article
Ulgiati, Sergio; Agostinho, Feni; Liu, Gengyuan; Ripa, Maddalena; Martin, Jesus Ramos; Reddy, Sudhakara
In: Energy Policy, 133 , pp. 110890, 2019, ISSN: 03014215.
@article{Ulgiati2019,
title = {Editorial: Perspectives on energy futures, environment and wellbeing},
author = {Sergio Ulgiati and Feni Agostinho and Gengyuan Liu and Maddalena Ripa and Jesus Ramos Martin and Sudhakara Reddy},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0301421519304689},
doi = {10.1016/j.enpol.2019.110890},
issn = {03014215},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-10-01},
journal = {Energy Policy},
volume = {133},
pages = {110890},
publisher = {Elsevier},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
From academic to political rigour: Insights from the ‘Tarot' of transgressive research Journal Article
Temper, Leah; McGarry, Dylan; Weber, Lena
In: Ecological Economics, 164 , pp. 106379, 2019, ISSN: 09218009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arts-based approaches, Environmental justice, Feminism, Post-normal science, Scholar activism, Transdisciplinarity, Transformation, Transgressive research
@article{Temper2019,
title = {From academic to political rigour: Insights from the ‘Tarot' of transgressive research},
author = {Leah Temper and Dylan McGarry and Lena Weber},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S092180091930031X},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106379},
issn = {09218009},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-10-01},
journal = {Ecological Economics},
volume = {164},
pages = {106379},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {The role of science and knowledge production is at a crossroads, as societal transformation calls for challenging dominant forms of knowledge production that have contributed to marginalizing other ways of knowing. This presents a challenge to mainstream science and invites a deeper reflection on our roles as scientists and exploration of alternative engaged, post-normal and activist approaches to research. This paper examines the diverse ways researchers are meeting this challenge. Employing the device of the Tarot deck we describe seven “characters” to illustrate the variety of roles and approaches that trans-disciplinary, transformative, transgressive and activist researchers are engaging in. These characters are used to introduce and develop the concept of political rigour as a means of expanded academic rigour in new emancipatory scientific paradigms. We demonstrate how these Tarot characters can be used as an activity for collective and personal reflexivity and propose ten principles that frequently emerge in a ‘political' peer review process. We argue that the insights emerging from these strands of radical, critical, engaged and applied forms of scholarship, can significantly improve the understanding of what a “transformative knowledge paradigm” may look like in practice and how it can be mobilized for social change and environmental justice.},
keywords = {Arts-based approaches, Environmental justice, Feminism, Post-normal science, Scholar activism, Transdisciplinarity, Transformation, Transgressive research},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The role of science and knowledge production is at a crossroads, as societal transformation calls for challenging dominant forms of knowledge production that have contributed to marginalizing other ways of knowing. This presents a challenge to mainstream science and invites a deeper reflection on our roles as scientists and exploration of alternative engaged, post-normal and activist approaches to research. This paper examines the diverse ways researchers are meeting this challenge. Employing the device of the Tarot deck we describe seven “characters” to illustrate the variety of roles and approaches that trans-disciplinary, transformative, transgressive and activist researchers are engaging in. These characters are used to introduce and develop the concept of political rigour as a means of expanded academic rigour in new emancipatory scientific paradigms. We demonstrate how these Tarot characters can be used as an activity for collective and personal reflexivity and propose ten principles that frequently emerge in a ‘political' peer review process. We argue that the insights emerging from these strands of radical, critical, engaged and applied forms of scholarship, can significantly improve the understanding of what a “transformative knowledge paradigm” may look like in practice and how it can be mobilized for social change and environmental justice.
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