Multi-scale integrated analysis of societal and ecosystem metabolism (MuSIASEM) revisited: synthesizing and updating the theoretical foundations.

Abstract

Biophysical limits are becoming more evident now that the global economy has moved from an “empty world” to a “full world”. Acknowledging these limits requires a total reconfiguration of our current material and energy use pattern and a re-adjustment of existing social practices. Currently, dominant narratives refuse to acknowledge this fact. However, the failures in the fight to avoid irreversible damage to the biosphere are exposing the nature of the crisis: urgent action is needed, but adequate perspectives and analytical tools are lacking. This paper highlights the relevance of Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM), in its more mature version, to respond to these shortcomings by providing an analytical approach to sustainability based on complexity. To this end, the paper synthesizes the basic rationale of MuSIASEM, clarifying its interpretation of social-economic systems, the economic process and the sustainability predicament. The article also revisits and updates the robustness of its theoretical foundations, examining and discussing the concepts combined in the analytical framework. In addition, new analytical tools such as the metabolic processor, the externalized end-use matrix and the externalized environmental pressure matrix are introduced with reference to the latest case studies where they have been applied for an integrated and meaningful analysis of sustainability across dimensions, scales and levels. Finally, the paper concludes by noting that MuSIASEM is a methodology faithful to key principles of ecological economics.