Evaluating information with emergy: how did Howard T. Odum incorporate human information into emergy accounting?

Abstract

AbstractHoward T. Odum was a towering early figure in ecology and energy systems theory. He was a pioneer of computer modeling in ecology, and in ecological economics, both of which are today thriving and important disciplines of their own. Less well-known is his approach to information and its function in systems of nature and society. Odum’s brand of ecological economics he labeled emergy accounting. For researchers in the field today it is essential to understand the historical and philosophical bases of this approach. Even less well-known is his application of emergy accounting to information. This paper will explore the historical development of his reasoning about information emergy. The significant achievement of this historical review will be two tables of Principles for interpreting Odum’s demonstrations and for guiding future information emergy evaluations.