New Books in Economics
Saleem H. Ali, "Sustainability: A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford UP, 2024)
Apr 21, 2025
Saleem H. Ali, Chair and Distinguished Professor of Geography at the University of Delaware, dives into the essence of sustainability. He unpacks its history from the 1992 Earth Summit, discussing the intricate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation. Ali also analyzes impactful concepts like the 'Tragedy of the Commons' and the debate spurred by Ehrlich and Simon's bet on resources. He emphasizes the importance of renewability and corporate responsibility, showing how sustainability can drive profitability while preserving our planet.
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Quick takeaways
- Sustainability encompasses interconnected challenges across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, necessitating a holistic approach to resource management and consumption.
- Technological innovations play a dual role in sustainability, offering both potential solutions and risks, thus requiring careful evaluation of their environmental impacts.
Deep dives
Understanding Sustainability and Resource Management
Sustainability is fundamentally concerned with the long-term viability of resource usage, which raises essential questions regarding our consumption rates. The discussion includes critical examples, such as the management of forests for timber and fish populations for fishing, where overexploitation risks depleting these natural resources. The concept extends beyond environmental disciplines, encompassing economic and philosophical dimensions that shape human interactions with the Earth. By exploring the optimization of scarce resources, sustainability presents a framework for addressing these interconnected challenges across multiple fields.
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