INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY –

ASSESSMENT AND
CHANGE OF TECHNICAL
SYSTEMS
M A G D A L E N A S VA N S T R Ö M
DECEMBER 2023
CONTEXT

• Because a root cause of unsustainability is that industrial and societal systems are not fully
aligned with ecological principles, scientists have found it useful to compare natural systems to
man-made to find causes and solutions to problems of this kind. This is one of the major
motivations and ideas behind industrial ecology.
• An understanding of the historical development of the human influence on natural systems and of
the state of the environment that you have achieved in earlier modules (1 and 2) are important
background, and this module is, in turn, and important motivation for learning about the nature of
energy and material flows, which is the topic of the subsequent module (5). The relationship
between citizens and science was particularly highlighted in module 3 and this module further
strengthens the understanding of what a science-based systems perspective on the world can imply,
and its strengths and shortcomings.
INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Basic assumption: Industrial systems are extensions of natural ecosystems

Ecology, but for industrial systems…

• Ecology: The science of the relationships between organisms and their environments
• Industrial ecology: The science of the relationships between industrial activities and their
environments
• Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical environment
• Industrial ecology: The study of how industries interact with each other and their physical
environment
METAPHOR The ozone layer?

• A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that helps explain
an idea or make a comparison; describes an intangible idea or process by referring to
something we actually have experience with
• Useful in education, learning!

• Industrial ecology, … symbiosis, … metabolism. The comparison to natural ecosystems in

industrial ecology is even an assumed analogy, which is stronger than a metaphor.
• Biomimicry, biomimetics = ”imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the
purpose of solving complex human problems” (Wikipedia)
RELEVANT COURSE LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
• Describe and analyse basic ecological relationships and how man intervenes in and interacts
with ecosystems through for example climate impact, loss of biological diversity, chemical
substances and land use, as well as how this can be communicated in teaching situations.
• Account for the concept ecological footprint as well as critically review and problematise it.
• Describe and problematise what sustainability transitions can imply from a scientific and
technical perspective.
• Explain relevant concepts in industrial ecology as well as how these can be used in teaching
situations.
ESD200 – ENVIRONMENT, NATURE AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AN EDUCATIONAL
PERSPECTIVE, 7.5 HEC
MODULE 4: INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY – ASSESSMENT AND CHANGE OF
TECHNICAL SYSTEMS, 3 HEC

• Audio-recorded introduction to Module 4

• Video-recorded lecture 1: Industrial ecology as an emerging field
• Video-recorded lecture 2: Understanding impacts - Life cycle thinking and ecological footprint
• Video-recorded lecture 3: Facilitating change – System conditions and circular economy
 Note that the audio voice

SCHEDULE
Also note that the audio voice asks you to
assumes the calendar layout
sign up for peer review but you instead
of another year: The
sign up by handing in Assignment 4:0 -
written times are correct!
then the teacher will put you in a group!

INTROD.+ Instruction for Module 4,

Start Module 4: Industrial ecology – assessment Graedel and Lifset (2016), Lifset and
Recorded introduction to Module 4,
Recorded lecture 4:1 Industrial ecology as an
Tue 12-Dec and change of technical systems Graedel (2002) emerging field, watch youtube clip
PART 1 Web page on life cycle thinking, WWF Recorded lecture 4:2 Understanding impacts - Life cycle
(2016) thinking and ecological footprint
PART 2 Wed 13-Dec

Magdalena available on Zoom 16:00-17:00 CET:

Thu 14-Dec https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/62084701548

Web pages of The Natural Step and the

PART 3 Magdalena available on Zoom 08:00-09:00 CET: Ellen MacArthur Fondation, Murray et al Recorded lecture 4:3 Facilitating change - System
Fri 15-Dec https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/65305356854 (2017) conditions and circular economy, watch you tube clips
16-Dec
17-Dec

PEER REVIEW Mon

Submission of text for review as Assignment 4.0
18-Dec no later than 23:59 CET

Tue 19-Dec Work with peer review

Wed 20-Dec Work with peer review

Thu 21-Dec Work with peer review
Fri 22-Dec
23-Dec
24-Dec
Mon 25-Dec
Tue 26-Dec
Wed 27-Dec
Thu 28-Dec
Fri 29-Dec
30-Dec
31-Dec
Mon 1-Jan
Tue 2-Jan
Submission of all Module 4 tasks as Assignment 4
Wed 3-Jan no later than 23:59 CET
SUMMARY – EXAMINATION, MODULE 4
• Part 1: one task on the industrial ecology paradigm
• Part 2: one task on the life cycle perspective AND one task on using the
footprint concept in teaching
• Part 3: one task on Natural Step principles and Circular Economy framework
Note that the audio
• Peer review of second task in Part 2 – hand in text as Assignment 4.0 on Dec voice says different
dates! The written
18 AND hand in filled-in review protocols before review meeting on peer ones are correct!
review group home page. The group organises the review meeting on its
own. Also, note that sign-
up for peer review is
• All tasks submitted in Assignment 4 as one document on Jan 3 – the
automatic when you
second task in Part 2 should be the improved version after peer review! hand in your text at
Assignment 4.0.
Teacher will make
• Magdalena will be available for discussions on zoom on Dec 14 at 4-5 pm and groups!
Dec 15 at 8-9 am (CET). Questions can also be asked in the Discussion forum
for Module 4.
GOOD LUCK!