Friday, May 20, 2022
The Green Market Oracle
  • Climate Change
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    • Biodiversity
    • Wildfires
    • Extreme Weather
  • Energy
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Renewables
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Social Change
    • Activism
    • Disinformation
    • Education
    • Psychology
    • Gender Equality
  • Business and Economics
    • Leadership
    • Decarbonization
    • Economics
    • Supply Chains
    • Investing
  • Technology
    • Carbon Removal
    • Carbon Capture
    • Transportation
    • Buildings
    • Food
No Result
View All Result
  • Climate Change
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    • Biodiversity
    • Wildfires
    • Extreme Weather
  • Energy
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Renewables
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Social Change
    • Activism
    • Disinformation
    • Education
    • Psychology
    • Gender Equality
  • Business and Economics
    • Leadership
    • Decarbonization
    • Economics
    • Supply Chains
    • Investing
  • Technology
    • Carbon Removal
    • Carbon Capture
    • Transportation
    • Buildings
    • Food
No Result
View All Result
The Green Market Oracle
No Result
View All Result
Home Business and Economics Economics

Environmental Implications of Three Types of Economies: Brown, Blue and Green

by Richard Matthews
October 4, 2013
in Economics
0

Sustainable economic systems are those focused on sustainable development rather than economic growth. In a preceding post we reviewed four types of economic systems and their implications for the environment.

In this post, we take a look at the environmental implications of three colored economies: brown, blue and green. It should be stated at the outset that most modern economies are a mixture of all three.

Brown Economy

A brown economy is one in which economic growth is largely dependent on environmentally destructive forms of activity, especially fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

One of the byproducts of this form of economy are massive levels of climate change causing greenhouse gas (GHG) which includes carbon dioxide and methane. 

Air and water pollution are defining features of this type of economy and it also includes a range of harmful impacts on biodiversity. In this system economic development overtaxes finite resources.

Blue Economy

The blue economy, also called the marine economy is one that supports clean and healthy oceans, as well as coastal, and other aquatic ecosystems. This form of economy acknowledges that water is crucial to our financial, biological, cultural, and spiritual well-being. Although some have coined the term to apply to a comprehensive sustainability regime, in the context of this review, the blue economy primarily focuses on managing oceans, waterways and water resources.

The seas cover 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and they are a rich repository of marine life, sea-based food, sea-embedded minerals, and coral reefs. Oceans are under threat from pollution, warming and acidification.

In a blue economy we are tasked to create more livelihood for an increasing number of people with better management of finite water resources. This type of economy implies water stewardship which entails less pollution and less waste as well as greater efficiency.

Specific economic activities associated with this type of economy include, sustainable commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, recreation, that minimizes marine pollution and uses of ocean and coastal space that do not result in direct use or consumption of resources. Coastal restoration, protection, adaptation and offshore renewable energy development are also important parts of this type of economy.

Green Economy

The UN succinctly defines the green economy as one that, “carries the promise of a new economic growth paradigm that is friendly to the earth’s ecosystems and can also contribute to poverty alleviation.” As indicated in a United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) report on the green economy (page 16) diverse strategies for economic growth and environmental stewardship can complement one another.

UNEP defines a green economy as, “one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” This definition is in line with the three pillars of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental).

The green economy is premised on economic production which minimizes emissions, reduces resource consumption and lowers environmental costs. Part of this approach involves recycling natural resources in a model of economic development that can merge the economic with environmental and social benefits.

In its simplest essence the green economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related posts

Primer on Four Economic Systems and their Environmental Implications

Understanding Sustainability: Forging a Comprehensive Definition

Sustainability (Sustainable) Defined

Sustainable Business as Defined by Paul Hawken

Sustainable Development Defined

Sustainable Production Defined

ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Primer on Four Types Economic Systems and their Environmental Implications

Next Post

Should Green Apply to the Brown Economy?

Related Posts

Defining Sustainable Economic Systems – Development vs Growth

by Richard Matthews
April 20, 2022
0

Prevailing economic systems are not working and it is becoming increasingly clear that we require a paradigm shift to address pressing social and environmental problems. The brown economy continues to...

Banks are Backing Away from Fossil Fuels and Embracing Sustainability

by Richard Matthews
January 27, 2021
0

Major banks have been slow to act but it appears as thought they are moving away from dirty energy. Big lending institutions have have pledged to support emissions reductions consistent...

The Plague Economy: Inequality and the Preoccupation with Growth

by Richard Matthews
August 4, 2020
0

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fault lines that highlight weaknesses in our economic system. Unfettered capitalism imperils biodiversity and endangers the future of civilization. Julia Steinberger echoes these sentiments saying...

Next Post

Should Green Apply to the Brown Economy?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • SoundCloud

Subscribe to the Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Economics

Defining Sustainable Economic Systems – Development vs Growth

by Richard Matthews
April 20, 2022
0

Prevailing economic systems are not working and it is becoming increasingly clear that we require a paradigm shift to address...

Read more
List of private equity firms and investment funds that focus on on sustainable development goals: Climate action, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, quality education, innovation and infrastructure, life below water, and life on land.

List of the Top Sustainability Focused Private Equity Firms

March 21, 2022
russia's invasion of ukraine from the perspective of climate and energy

Russia’s War From a Climate Perspective

March 14, 2022
Private Equity Firms Are Paving the Way to a More Sustainable Future

Private Equity Firms Are Paving the Way to a More Sustainable Future 

February 21, 2022
sustainably invested cash money

Top 12 Green Private Equity Firms

February 7, 2022
  • About
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Business and Economics
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Social Change
  • Events
  • Other

© 2021 Copyright The Green Market Oracle.

No Result
View All Result
  • Business and Economics
    • Leadership
    • Supply Chains
  • Economics
  • Energy
    • Fossil Fuels
    • Renewables
  • Climate Change
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    • Biodiversity
    • Extreme Weather
    • Wildfires
  • Investing
  • Politics
    • American Politics
    • Canadian Politics
    • International Politics
  • Technology
    • Buildings
    • Carbon Capture
    • Food
    • Transportation
  • Social Change
    • Education
    • Activism
    • Psychology

© 2021 Copyright The Green Market Oracle.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In