This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mccready (talk | contribs) at 12:19, 22 August 2006 (→References: typo). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 12:19, 22 August 2006 by Mccready (talk | contribs) (→References: typo)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | It has been suggested that this article be merged into emergy. (Discuss) |
Emergy evaluation is an accounting system that has been continuosly developed by Howard T. Odum and colleagues around the world since the 1960s, but only became known by this term in the 80's. It is based on universal principles of ecological energetics and uses the Energy Systems Language to describe natural systems. Because it aims at synthesis and the unification of science, it is complex to understand, and currently rarely applied across all disciplines in the scientific community. Emergy accounting tries to provide a deeper understanding to the natural energy circles and a deeper level of challenge to current conceptions of sustainable living. Its concept can be seen as another way of measuring our needs, natural resources and wealth than the Ecological footprint-concept does. It is meant to provide a quantitative theory of qualitative value. It is a global, that is, noosphere, accounting system.
Emergy ratios
Emergy evaluation is characterised by the difference and differential application and combination of a set of ratios, and corresponding coefficients. The Energy Systems Language is the main Pasigraphy used to ensure that the various ratios are connected in a way that is consistent with the Principles of energetics.
- Transformity
- Net emergy yield or loss
- Gross emergy yield or loss
- Emergy efficiency
- Amplification ratio
- Emergy investment ratio
- Emdollar
- Emergy/mass ratio
- Empower = Emergy/time ratio
References
- Howard T. Odum, Introduction eMergy Evaluation