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Contents:
1 - a generalized integrated economic-environmental growth model; 2 - Formulating and solving non-linear integrated economic-environmental growth models using GAMS; 3 - Investing in clean technology - an exercise in methodology; 4 - Issues in production, recycling and international trade: analyzing the plastic sector using an optimal life cycle (OLC) model; 5 - The economic and environmental impact of waste paper trade and recycling in India: a life cycle approach with an endogenous input-output technology matrix; 6 - Farm permits and optimal shrimp management in Thailand: an integrated inter-temporal and spatial planning model; 7 - Sustainable livestock management in the Kalahari.
Review:
The development of models occurs at a variety of levels. Whilst much of the most accessible work focusses on the ways in which we can use models more effectively and for a wider audience so there is development on more theoretical areas such as seen in this text. The overall focus of this book is a discussion about models, their derivation and uses. In particular it looks at the debate between the amount of resources (optimal allocation) and the amount the environment can sustain (optimal scale). Whilst this has application in many areas a brief glance at the contents shows its emphasis on sustainable production and recycling. Having shown the area within which the model is to work the next stage is to more closely define the type of model under discussion. Chapter one deals with this aspect highlighting the design of the integrated model- one that deals with feedbacks in economic, social and environmental systems (which therefore has direct relevance to the triple-bottom line ideas currently in vogue). Chapter two looks at the three key issues involved in such models: non-linearity, scale and bounding. The remainder of the book takes a series of cases and shows how models can be developed. In each case there is a focus of one or more areas of model design. Chapter three looks at clean technology and how a model can be set up. Chapter four deals with plastics and the making (and parameterization) of models. Chapter five's exploration of the paper industry has conceptual considerations and the maths of the model (as does chapter six on shrimps). Finally, there is the use of the model is a sustainable farming setting.
Overall this is a very interesting text looking at some of the key current elements of model design. Although the informed reader can see something of the nature of model building it is very much aimed at the model expert and would appeal to those in advanced undergraduate settings.