Thermodynamics for Sustainability. Twelve Prescriptions to the Economy.
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: This paper analyses how the laws of thermodynamics, especially the Second Law, can be used as a‘physical shadow of the economy’ to redefine the natural cost burden and promote sustainability. Forthe formation of commodity prices, standard economics takes little account of the true physical andnatural costs of human activities, which can be measured in terms of destroyed exergy, i.e.irreversibility, implying irreversible losses of natural resources. In other words, the value of nature isnot central to the current economy, so its destruction is done for nothing. Twelve recipes based on thelaws of thermodynamics are proposed to the economy. They include the hidden link between physicalcosts (measured, for example, in kWh) and the economic costs of any activity; it is also proposed thatthe concept of material efficiency be taken into account in the energy efficiency of production processesto minimise all irreversibilities, past, present and future. They promote the use of renewable resourcesand eco-design. It shows how the Second Law allows the impacts of human activity to be evaluated. Italso highlights the need for a new ethical vision that values long-term sustainability, respect for naturalresources and intergenerational responsibility. In short, it advocates a paradigm shift that combines thelaws of thermodynamics with economics to achieve development in harmony with the planet,minimising the destruction of resources and promoting sustainability in all economic practices.
Authors: Valero, Antonio, Valero, Alicia
Institution: Universidad de Zaragoza
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G5030067542, G715769196
OpenAlex ID: W7092637315
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