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Thermodynamik – grundlegende Einsichten für ein Verständnis von Umweltproblemen

Author

Listed:
  • Faber, Malte
  • Rudolf, Marco
  • Frick, Marc
  • Becker, Mi-Yong

Abstract

In this paper, we present a way that allows to make fundamental statements about how economic action entails harmful effects on the environment. These effects are due to natural scientific reasons and are particularly present in the industrialised economy. The starting point of our considerations is that every economic action requires energy, of which many different forms exist. Taking all of these forms into account, heat energy has a particular significance, because other forms of energy can never appear in isolation, but only conjointly with heat energy. For this reason, the branch of physics that deals primarily with energy is called thermodynamics. The study of thermodynamics yields the central link between economic activity and its environmental impact. Understanding basic insights of thermodynamics enables decision-makers in environmental policy to understand the nature of environmental problems and to develop possible solutions. First, we deal with the connection between physical work and heat. Then we explain the two main Laws of Thermodynamics and go into detail about the concept of entropy. We use Boltzmann's approach of the degree of order to give an illustration of the entropy concept. We then turn to the consideration of thermodynamics in economics, first provided by Georgescu-Roegen in 1971. Following this we explain the importance of thermodynamics for environmental policy. We conclude with a summary. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir einen Weg vor, der es erlaubt, grundsätzliche Aussagen darüber zu treffen, dass wirtschaftliches Handeln schädliche Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt mit sich bringt. Diese Auswirkungen sind naturwissenschaftlich bedingt und treten insbesondere in der industrialisierten Wirtschaft auf. Ausgangspunkt unserer Überlegungen ist, dass jedes wirtschaftliche Handeln Energie benötigt, von der es viele verschiedene Formen gibt. Unter Berücksichtigung all dieser Formen kommt der Wärmeenergie eine besondere Bedeutung zu, da andere Energieformen nie isoliert, sondern nur in Verbindung mit der Wärmeenergie auftreten können. Aus diesem Grund wird der Zweig der Physik, der sich hauptsächlich mit Energie beschäftigt, Thermodynamik genannt. Das Studium der Thermodynamik stellt die zentrale Verbindung zwischen wirtschaftlicher Tätigkeit und ihren Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt her. Das Verständnis grundlegender Erkenntnisse der Thermodynamik ermöglicht es Entscheidungsträgern in der Umweltpolitik, das Entstehen von Umweltproblemen zu verstehen und mögliche Lösungen zu entwickeln. Zunächst befassen wir uns mit dem Zusammenhang zwischen physikalischer Arbeit und Wärme. Dann erläutern wir die beiden Hauptsätze der Thermodynamik und gehen ausführlich auf das Konzept der Entropie ein. Zur Veranschaulichung des Entropiekonzepts verwenden wir den Boltzmann'schen Ansatz des Ordnungsgrades. Anschließend wenden wir uns der Betrachtung der Thermodynamik in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften zu, die erstmals von Georgescu-Roegen im Jahr 1971 vorgelegt wurde. Anschließend erläutern wir die Bedeutung der Thermodynamik für die Umweltpolitik. Wir schließen mit einer Zusammenfassung.

Suggested Citation

  • Faber, Malte & Rudolf, Marco & Frick, Marc & Becker, Mi-Yong, 2023. "Thermodynamik – grundlegende Einsichten für ein Verständnis von Umweltproblemen," Working Papers 0725, University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:awi:wpaper:0725
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stefan Baumgärtner & Malte Faber & Johannes Schiller, 2006. "Joint Production and Responsibility in Ecological Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2598.
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    Keywords

    Classical Mechanics; Joint Production; Environmental Problems; Thermodynamics; Energy; Entropy; Irreversibility; Efficiency;
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