Autore
Carrosio, Giovanni

Titolo
Beyond the Sustainability of Exception. Setting Bounds on Biofuels
Periodico
Sociologica
Anno: 2012 - Volume: 16 - Fascicolo: 2 - Pagina iniziale: 0

The article discusses two alternative approaches to sustainability - boundless andbounded sustainability - focusing on the example of biofuels as means to fight climate change.To date, social research on biofuels has focused mainly on the growth of a global market ofproduction and consumption - boundless biofuels - highlighting emerging issues. While probiofuelspolicies pursue virtuous environmental objectives, the structuring of a global market iscreating numerous and much debated side-effects. Across the world, scientific controversies andsocial conflicts have arisen: boundless biofuels benefits are strongly contested. Most researchersfocus on the sustainability certification of global biofuels as a governmental device which tosettle disputes. The article argues that, beyond the global biofuels controversies, the localizationof biofuel production and consumption is increasing. These are schemes that seek to preservelocal control over resources and attempt to be environmentally and socially friendly becausethey are able to integrate different policies at a territorial level (e.g. energy production and foodproduction). these practices, the article develops an alternative conception of sustainability asthe careful socio-ecological balance of local systems.



SICI: 1971-8853(2012)16:2<0:BTSOES>2.0.ZU;2-V
Testo completo: http://www.rivisteweb.it/download/article/10.2383/38268
Testo completo alternativo: http://www.rivisteweb.it/doi/10.2383/38268

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