The Material Intensity of Growth: Implications from the Human Scale of Production

摘要: Contemporary empirical studies on the resource intensity of economic process provide evidence a gradual de-linking between natural resources use and growth. Resource is evaluated through Domestic Material Consumption/Gross Product (DMC/GDP) ratio, defined as material index. Trajectories this ratio support optimistic view that output becoming progressively less dependent flows, hence GDP gradually dematerialized. The present study asserts DMC/GDP indicator fails to take into account biophysical properties production which define requirements economy. proposes “resources required for producing one unit per Capita (Income)”, an alternative evaluating requirement, at level income, approximates human scale production; goods should embody certain in order satisfy needs. trajectories DMC/Income index global growth rejects vision dematerialized de-linkage economy from resources.