Eco-sufficiency

The term sufficiency ( sufficere from Latin, German enough ) is in ecology for the search of the lowest possible raw material and energy consumption. In practical sustainability debate sufficiency complementary ( supplementary) is seen to eco-efficiency and consistency. It is used in the sense of the question of the proper measure both in terms of self-limitation, renunciation of consumption or even asceticism, but also slowing down and the dropping of ballast.

Term

The term was first used in German-speaking in 1993 by Wolfgang Sachs, who said:

"One of nature-friendly company you can get closer, in fact, only on two legs: by an intelligent rationalization of means such as by a wise limitation of the targets. In other words, the " efficiency revolution " remains the trend blindly, if it is not accompanied by a " sufficiency revolution " ".

Sachs defined sufficiency as deceleration, unbundling, decommercialization and clearing out. Manfred Linz describes sufficiency as the question of the proper measure and defines the Eco-Sufficiency as a " living and economic manner inconsistent with the excessive consumption of goods and materials and energy so that puts an end " and thus flanked eco-efficiency and consistency. This can be achieved by a low demand for goods and services that require a high consumption of resources. The necessary change in thinking is considered to be more difficult than the adaptation of new technologies.

" The sufficiency is politically non- sensitive than the efficiency question. "

Research

The Sufficiency research questions, the personal, social and political conditions of orientation are to maßvollem consumption in the way and how these barriers can be overcome. This includes how the consumer behavior of the throwaway society and the binding of prosperity understanding of material goods is changeable and what the consequences of moderation actions in private households, businesses and institutions for economic structure and economic growth. The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Association for Ecological Economics provides sufficiency here in the field of tension between happiness and renunciation. Just as the eco-efficiency is also the sufficiency not free of rebound effects.