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Bioeconomy: a solution to the challenges of a post-fossil future?

In: Handbook on Alternative Global Development

Author

Listed:
  • Dennis Eversberg
  • Jana Holz
  • Matthias Schmelzer

Abstract

"Bioeconomy" is one of the buzzwords that come up time and again in debates on the future of modern societies in the face of climate disaster. The core vision of its proponents is that decarbonization of the economy can be achieved by replacing the linear throughput of fossil resources with ’circular’ flows of biological and renewable resources. The article argues that bioeconomy strategies in their dominant form, as promoted by governments, industry, and international organization, can best be characterized as a problematic or false solution that cannot ultimately address real problems of societal fossil-fuel dependency and its social-ecological repercussions. To substantiate this, the article discusses the origins and history of the bioeconomy debate and presents key insights of various strands of social scientific research on the bioeconomy and their respective contributions to a critical understanding of its implications and impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis Eversberg & Jana Holz & Matthias Schmelzer, 2023. "Bioeconomy: a solution to the challenges of a post-fossil future?," Chapters, in: Franklin Obeng-Odoom (ed.), Handbook on Alternative Global Development, chapter 19, pages 334-351, Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:19914_19
    as

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    File URL: https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781839109959.00030
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