Socioeconomic metabolism as paradigm for studying the biophysical basis of human societies

摘要: Abstract A wide spectrum of quantitative systems approaches such as life cycle assessment or integrated models are available to assess sustainable development strategies. These methods describe certain aspects the biophysical basis society, which comprises in-use stocks and processes flows that maintain operate these stocks. Despite this commonality, often developed applied in isolation, dampens scientific progress complicates communication between scientists decision makers. As research on socioecological matures, more structure classification needed. We argue concept socioeconomic metabolism (SEM), was material flow analysis accounting, is a powerful boundary object can serve paradigm for studying human society. common facilitate model combination integration, lead robust comprehensive interdisciplinary assessments refine notion SEM, clarify relation SEM economy, provide list features we believe qualifies paradigm. help justify alternative economic concepts, suggest analogies make accessible, discuss its limitations.