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Perspectives on Industrial Ecology
Resources, Conservation and Recycling 40 (2004) 273–275
Book review Perspectives on Industrial Ecology Dominique Bourg, Suren Erkman (Eds.) (with a foreword of President Jacques Chirac), Greenleaf Publishing, Sheffield, UK, March 2003, Hardback, ISBN 1-874719-46-2, 356 pp. Greenleaf Publishing (http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com) is a relative new publisher in the area of environmental sciences and sustainability. Based in the United Kingdom, it has released a number of new titles focusing on the issues of sustainability and the incorporation of these principles in businesses practices. It is good to see a publisher focusing on this important topic; a topic that is also close to the interests of the readers of Resources, Conservation & Recycling, consisting of an audience of scientists as well as practicing professionals from private enterprises. The book “Perspectives on Industrial ecology” is based on the 1999 workshop in Troyes (France). This workshop was an important event in the evolving field of industrial ecology. The book recognizes that business-as-usual for industrial and technological development will never deliver a path towards sustainable development. The growing interest in recent years in the field of industrial ecology holds promise in addressing not only short-term environmental problems but also the long-term holistic evolution of industrial systems. Industrial ecology starts from the perspective that industrial systems should mimic the quasi-cyclical functions of natural ecosystems in an “industrial food chain.” This requires the restructuring of our current manufacturing and consumer society in order to reduce the effects of material and energy flows. Industrial ecology is a relatively new field, and the term was first introduced in the late 1980s in the United States, building on research in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. Because the field of industrial ecology is so new, it has not yet crystallized into a clear structure, despite a relative uniform theory (based on the biological system). Instead we find ourselves in the midst of “guerrilla warfare.” A lot of well-meaning researchers going off in all directions and trying to fit everything they do under the umbrella of industrial ecology. The current title does not provide further guidance or direction to the reader trying to weed through the field. This is unfortunate, but not unexpected as it is based on a workshop, now 4 years ago. However, the book will provide a view on the diverse ideas and impacts that the field of industrial ecology may have on the future structure of the industrial system, and reduction of industrial metabolism to a speed in line with a sustainable development of our society. The book sets out to address the theoretical basis for industrial ecology that should be made implicit in future research. The systematic recovery of industrial wastes, the 0921-3449/$ – see front matter © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0921-3449(03)00098-3
274
Book review
minimization of losses caused by dispersion, the dematerialization of the economy, the requirement to decrease our reliance on fuels derived from fossil fuels, and the need for management systems that help foster inter-industry collaboration and networks are among the topics covered. The book is split into four sections. First, the various definitions of industrial ecology are outlined, introducing concepts such as industrial metabolism, and the background and historical development of the main research areas in the field of industrial ecology (e.g. the chapter by Fischer-Kowalski). It also discusses the relationships to past trends in technology development. The chapter by Arnulf Grübler on technology innovation and long-time trends is especially interesting, and provides important background information to search for drivers for technological change towards a more sustainable production and consumption system. The second part discusses examples from a number of industrial sectors and the interpretation and implementation of industrial ecology thinking. Some of the case-studies are important analyses of eco-industrial parks and networks, while others demonstrate that it will take some time before industries will accept the changes that an industrial ecology perspective may bring to the business environment. Some of the case-studies are discussed as examples of industrial ecology, but seem more aimed at solving a specific waste management problem, and not necessarily from an “ecological” perspective. In order to be successful, industrial ecology will need to result in completely different perspectives adapted by all stakeholders in society (e.g. producers, consumers, policymakers). And some of the case-studies show that we still have a long way to go. The third part of the book focuses on the options for overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of the closing of cycles such as the separation and screening of materials. In the fourth part directions and implications for the future are assessed. The most interesting contributions are found in these last parts of the book. It is interesting to see that the leading thinkers on introduction of sustainable development patterns seem to come from Europe, where currently the policy environment is more conducive to this development. While this may partially be the result of a workshop held in Europe, it is also reflected by some of the U.S. studies included in the book, which, though interesting, do not seem to grasp the immense changes that would be needed to the industrial metabolism to approach a sustainable system based on the principles of industrial ecology. In particular the chapters by Nill and Petschow on opportunities for a “green” industrial policy, and the service economy by Walter Stahel, provide important food for thought for those interested in industrial ecology. The concluding chapter by one of the editors is a good summary, not only of the book, but also of the future directions of research and policy for industrial ecology. We are just at the beginning of establishing a path towards sustainable development, and achieving a society along the basic principles of industrial ecology. This book will help readers to find the major questions and will contribute to a critical discussion in the area of industrial ecology. If a book, or parts of it, challenge the reader and spark creative thinking, that, in fact, is the biggest compliment a book can receive. Despite the drawbacks of some papers presented in the book and the need for direction in industrial ecology, the book provides an overview of the thinking (though 2–3 years old) in the field. I recommend the book to all those interested in finding new research questions,
Book review
275
who in the end will hopefully contribute to a crystallization of the concepts of industrial ecology. Ernst Worrell Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Building 90R4000 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Tel.: +1-510-486-6794; fax: +1-510-486-6996 E-mail address: [email protected] (E. Worrell)
Book review Perspectives on Industrial Ecology Dominique Bourg, Suren Erkman (Eds.) (with a foreword of President Jacques Chirac), Greenleaf Publishing, Sheffield, UK, March 2003, Hardback, ISBN 1-874719-46-2, 356 pp. Greenleaf Publishing (http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com) is a relative new publisher in the area of environmental sciences and sustainability. Based in the United Kingdom, it has released a number of new titles focusing on the issues of sustainability and the incorporation of these principles in businesses practices. It is good to see a publisher focusing on this important topic; a topic that is also close to the interests of the readers of Resources, Conservation & Recycling, consisting of an audience of scientists as well as practicing professionals from private enterprises. The book “Perspectives on Industrial ecology” is based on the 1999 workshop in Troyes (France). This workshop was an important event in the evolving field of industrial ecology. The book recognizes that business-as-usual for industrial and technological development will never deliver a path towards sustainable development. The growing interest in recent years in the field of industrial ecology holds promise in addressing not only short-term environmental problems but also the long-term holistic evolution of industrial systems. Industrial ecology starts from the perspective that industrial systems should mimic the quasi-cyclical functions of natural ecosystems in an “industrial food chain.” This requires the restructuring of our current manufacturing and consumer society in order to reduce the effects of material and energy flows. Industrial ecology is a relatively new field, and the term was first introduced in the late 1980s in the United States, building on research in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. Because the field of industrial ecology is so new, it has not yet crystallized into a clear structure, despite a relative uniform theory (based on the biological system). Instead we find ourselves in the midst of “guerrilla warfare.” A lot of well-meaning researchers going off in all directions and trying to fit everything they do under the umbrella of industrial ecology. The current title does not provide further guidance or direction to the reader trying to weed through the field. This is unfortunate, but not unexpected as it is based on a workshop, now 4 years ago. However, the book will provide a view on the diverse ideas and impacts that the field of industrial ecology may have on the future structure of the industrial system, and reduction of industrial metabolism to a speed in line with a sustainable development of our society. The book sets out to address the theoretical basis for industrial ecology that should be made implicit in future research. The systematic recovery of industrial wastes, the 0921-3449/$ – see front matter © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0921-3449(03)00098-3
274
Book review
minimization of losses caused by dispersion, the dematerialization of the economy, the requirement to decrease our reliance on fuels derived from fossil fuels, and the need for management systems that help foster inter-industry collaboration and networks are among the topics covered. The book is split into four sections. First, the various definitions of industrial ecology are outlined, introducing concepts such as industrial metabolism, and the background and historical development of the main research areas in the field of industrial ecology (e.g. the chapter by Fischer-Kowalski). It also discusses the relationships to past trends in technology development. The chapter by Arnulf Grübler on technology innovation and long-time trends is especially interesting, and provides important background information to search for drivers for technological change towards a more sustainable production and consumption system. The second part discusses examples from a number of industrial sectors and the interpretation and implementation of industrial ecology thinking. Some of the case-studies are important analyses of eco-industrial parks and networks, while others demonstrate that it will take some time before industries will accept the changes that an industrial ecology perspective may bring to the business environment. Some of the case-studies are discussed as examples of industrial ecology, but seem more aimed at solving a specific waste management problem, and not necessarily from an “ecological” perspective. In order to be successful, industrial ecology will need to result in completely different perspectives adapted by all stakeholders in society (e.g. producers, consumers, policymakers). And some of the case-studies show that we still have a long way to go. The third part of the book focuses on the options for overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of the closing of cycles such as the separation and screening of materials. In the fourth part directions and implications for the future are assessed. The most interesting contributions are found in these last parts of the book. It is interesting to see that the leading thinkers on introduction of sustainable development patterns seem to come from Europe, where currently the policy environment is more conducive to this development. While this may partially be the result of a workshop held in Europe, it is also reflected by some of the U.S. studies included in the book, which, though interesting, do not seem to grasp the immense changes that would be needed to the industrial metabolism to approach a sustainable system based on the principles of industrial ecology. In particular the chapters by Nill and Petschow on opportunities for a “green” industrial policy, and the service economy by Walter Stahel, provide important food for thought for those interested in industrial ecology. The concluding chapter by one of the editors is a good summary, not only of the book, but also of the future directions of research and policy for industrial ecology. We are just at the beginning of establishing a path towards sustainable development, and achieving a society along the basic principles of industrial ecology. This book will help readers to find the major questions and will contribute to a critical discussion in the area of industrial ecology. If a book, or parts of it, challenge the reader and spark creative thinking, that, in fact, is the biggest compliment a book can receive. Despite the drawbacks of some papers presented in the book and the need for direction in industrial ecology, the book provides an overview of the thinking (though 2–3 years old) in the field. I recommend the book to all those interested in finding new research questions,
Book review
275
who in the end will hopefully contribute to a crystallization of the concepts of industrial ecology. Ernst Worrell Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Building 90R4000 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Tel.: +1-510-486-6794; fax: +1-510-486-6996 E-mail address: [email protected] (E. Worrell)