Sustainable Development Indicators: An Exergy-Based Approach

Analyzing the self-sufficient Danish island of Samsø, this book explains sustainability through a bio-geophysical understanding of how to best use society’s limited resources to achieve true sustainability. The method used derives from the thermodynamic function of exergy. By analyzing exergy flows and establishing a system for evaluating the energy and the materials used in a society, the author creates a platform for monitoring certain indicators of sustainability. These indicators inform readers about the actions that must be taken and the time frames for achieving sustainability goals. The exergy-based approach is an important tool for carrying out such an analysis because it