Economics, ecology-based communities, and sustainability

This paper comments on the inadequacy of orthodox economics when communities perceive themselves as ecology-based, that is, when they recognize that their livelihood depends upon living natural resources. Not surprisingly, an economics largely developed in the context of a-spatial, a-natural industrialization and designed to serve the interests, policies, and tools of the nation state is inadequate when addressing communities within the context of their regions and ecological systems. The author suggests that a sustainability economics is needed and that its character can be better focused if based on a local and regional ecosystem perspective. The critique is relevant to general economic praxis because all economies depend upon natural processes and all economic actors are socialized within communities. An approach to development of a sustainability economics is suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]