Frameworks for Understanding and Promoting Solar Energy Technology Development

Resources

Chelsea Schelly¹ 

[1] Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; E-Mail

关键词: metabolic rift;    ecological modernization theory;    solar energy technology;    renewable energy policy;   

DOI  :  10.3390/resources4010055

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

In this paper, the contrasting theories of metabolic rift and ecological modernization theory (EMT) are applied to the same empirical phenomenon. Metabolic rift argues that the natural metabolic relationship between humans and nature has been fractured through modernization, industrialization and urbanization. EMT, in contrast, argues that societies in an advanced state of industrialization adopt ecologically benign production technologies and political policies, suggesting that modern societies could be on course to alleviate the ecological damage caused by capitalism. These two theories are fundamentally different in their assumptions about modern economies and technologies, yet both can be used as a theoretical lens to examine the phenomenon of solar energy technology adoption. Furthermore, both theories shed light on the increasing adoption of solar energy technologies in both “developing” and “developed” regions and the potential social conditions for promoting renewable energy technology adoption.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.