Analyzing sustainability transitions as a shift between socio-metabolic regimes

Marina Fischer-Kowalski

doi:10.1016/j.eist.2011.04.004

Analyzing sustainability transitions as a shift between socio-metabolic regimes

Environ Innov Soc Transit. 2011 Jun;1(1):152-159. doi: 10.1016/j.eist.2011.04.004.

Author

Marina Fischer-Kowalski¹

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Social Ecology, IFF - Faculty for Interdisciplinary Studies, Klagenfurt University, Schottenfeldgasse 29, A-1070 Vienna, Austria.

Abstract

This essay seeks to specify the theoretical choices and assumptions involved in studying sociometabolic transitions, such as sustainability transitions, in a way that distinguishes them from mere "changes". These generalizations draw on experiences with the empirical analysis of historical transitions on various scale levels. This perspective is illustrated by using material and energy flow data to demonstrate global sociometabolic regime transitions during the 20th century.

Keywords: Global material and energy flows; Sociometabolic regimes; Sociometabolic transitions.