Entropy, economics and sustainability: some conceptual clarification and many questions

Pablo Aguirre Carmona

This paper clarifies physical notions such as entropy and the second principle of thermodynamics and their relevance for analysing the economic system and sustainability. It also provides a structured overview of some relevant sustainability issues. It is an exploratory work intended to be useful as a starting point for further research. From the clarification of basic concepts and the review of relevant issues and dilemmas, one main idea emerges: the interrelationship between energy, materials and waste is inherent in the nature of the economic system as an entropic system that organisesthe satisfaction of human needs. However, this interrelationship is not always taken into account in sustainability analyses, which may limit the scope and usefulness of the conclusions drawn and the recommendations derived from them.

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