Introduction: ‘paradigm is a tacit agreement not to ask certain questions’ (allen 2003)

Abstract

This introductory chapter provides basic rationale for writing the present book. In the 1970’s, Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen indicated bioeconomic predicaments of global significance related to energy addiction, wealth inequality and international conflict related to securing fossil fuels. More recently, ageing population and budget deficit have become new bioeconomic predicaments in many developed societies, in particular in Europe and Japan. These bioeconomic predicaments are inevitable consequences of large scale use of high quality fossil fuels and of money’s marvelous ability to promote economic activities. The predicaments are occurring just when peak-oil proponents see a dim outlook for fossil fuel supply and when international monetary systems are not stable enough to control unnecessary debt expansion and to mitigate exchange rate fluctuations.