The Second Law of Economics : Energy, Entropy, and the Origins of Wealth
Nothing happens in the world without energy conversion and entropy production. These fundamental natural laws are familiar to most of us when applied to the evolution of stars, biological processes, or the working of an internal combustion engine, but what about industrial economies and wealth prod...
Enregistré dans:
| Auteur principal: | |
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| Format: | Livre numérique |
| Langue: | Anglais |
| Publié: |
New York, NY :
Springer New York
[20..].
Cham : Springer Nature |
| Édition: | 1. |
| Collection: | The Frontiers Collection
|
| Accès en ligne: | Accès sur la plateforme de l'éditeur Accès sur la plateforme Istex Accès Université d'Orléans Accès INSA CVL |
| Note: |
Archives Springer e-books (Licence nationale) Archives Springer e-books (Licence nationale) |
| Autres localisations: | Voir dans le Sudoc |
| Edition sous un autre format: | • The second law of economics, energy, entropy, and the origins of wealth, Reiner Kümmel, New York [etc.], Springer, 2011, 1 vol. (XIX-293 p.), The frontiers collection, 978-1-4419-9364-9 • The second law of economics, energy, entropy, and the origins of wealth, Reiner Kümmel, New York [etc.], Springer, 2011, 1 vol. (XIX-293 p.), The frontiers collection, 978-1-4419-9364-9 • The Second Law of Economics, Texte imprimé, 9781461429197 • The Second Law of Economics, Texte imprimé, 9781441993663 |
| Résumé: | Nothing happens in the world without energy conversion and entropy production. These fundamental natural laws are familiar to most of us when applied to the evolution of stars, biological processes, or the working of an internal combustion engine, but what about industrial economies and wealth production, or their constant companion, pollution? Does economics conform to the First and the Second Law of Thermodynamics? In this important book, Reiner Kümmel takes us on a fascinating tour of these laws and their influence on natural, technological, and social evolution. Analyzing economic growth in Germany, Japan, and the United States in light of technological constraints on capital, labor, and energy, Professor Kümmel upends conventional economic wisdom by showing that the productive power of energy far outweighs its small share of costs, while for labor just the opposite is true. Wealth creation by energy conversion is accompanied and limited by polluting emissions that are coupled to entropy production. These facts constitute the Second Law of Economics. They take on unprecedented importance in a world that is facing peak oil, debt-driven economic turmoil, and threats from pollution and climate change. They complement the First Law of Economics: Wealth is allocated on markets, and the legal framework determines the outcome. By applying the First and Second Law we understand the true origins of wealth production, the issues that imperil the goal of sustainable development, and the technological options that are compatible both with this goal and with natural laws. The critical role of energy and entropy in the productive sectors of the economy must be realized if we are to create a road map that avoids a Dark Age of shrinking natural resources, environmental degradation, and increasing social tensions. |
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| Description: | Archives Springer e-books (Licence nationale) Archives Springer e-books (Licence nationale) |
| ISBN: | 9781441993656 |
| ISSN: | 2197-6619 |
| Accès: | Accès en ligne pour les établissements français bénéficiaires des licences nationales Accès soumis à abonnement pour tout autre établissement Conditions particulières de réutilisation pour les bénéficiaires des licences nationales. https://www.licencesnationales.fr/springer-nature-ebooks-contrat-licence-ln-2017 |