Ecological economics

A textbook about the nature of economics and the economics of nature. Is economic growth the cause of or the solution for biodiversity loss? Why do we keep drilling for oil and gas when green energy sources are cheaper? And is it possible to protect nature without government intervention? The answer to these and other questions lies in economic knowledge. But in an age when the boundaries between nature and society are becoming increasingly vague, ecology and economics are still worlds apart. Not only should economists find out more about ecology, ecologists should acquire a better understanding of economic principles and concepts: from Adam Smith's invisible hand to the Gini coefficient and from diminishing marginal utility to the Hedonic Pricing method.The aim of this book is to provide students with knowledge and an understanding of economic science and to offer them a mindset for tackling the important ecological issues of our time. The book demonstrates that economic theories are sometimes part of an ecological problem but can also offer valuable insights in the search for a solution. The textbook is intended for use on ecology courses at institutes for professional education and on science courses