Socioeconomic Metabolism and Sustainability

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the socioeconomic metabolism of material and energy flow and stock and sustainability. Although the flows of energy and materials should be balanced on a global scale, there are discrepancies at the individual and societal levels. Durable consumer goods, architecture, and society’s foundational facilities support our livelihoods by providing various services by accumulating materials, thus also supporting our society with material stocks. However, among the materials necessary to support society, relatively large productions of concrete and ferrous materials are deeply linked with GHG emissions. Since they affect future global warming policies, it is necessary to design immediate measures for the sustainability of material stocks that support society.