Perspectives on quantifying and influencing household metabolism |
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Authors: | Robin Harder Mihály Dombi Gregory M Peters |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden;2. Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Environmental Economics, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary |
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Abstract: | Household metabolism is a concept that is concerned with the analysis of stocks and flows of energy, matter, and information at the household scale. This paper starts by providing a brief overview of the concept of household metabolism. Rather than attempting an in-depth review and analysis of this field, the article subsequently maps the contributions and perspectives of a broad variety of research traditions that have an interface with the concept of household metabolism. Next, this paper highlights a number of controversial issues connected to household metabolism, and studies at the interface of household metabolism. Finally, this paper argues that the concept of household metabolism can provide valuable help in diagnosing misalignments between enacted system dynamics and expressed societal goals, and can help to design research that facilitates their alignment. |
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Keywords: | household metabolism material flow analysis waste discharge resource use |
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