In the realm of sustainability, a team of researchers from the University of Paris-Saclay, including José Halloy, Petros Chatzimpiros, François Graner, and Thomas Gregor, have published a perspective that challenges the current discourse. Their work, published in the journal Joule, emphasizes the importance of understanding fundamental physical constraints in the pursuit of long-term sustainability.
The researchers argue that much of today’s sustainability discourse focuses on efficiency, clean technologies, and smart systems, but often overlooks the fundamental physical constraints related to energy-matter interactions. These constraints are crucial because Earth is a materially closed yet energetically open system, primarily driven by the low power-density flux of solar radiation.
The perspective reframes sustainability within these physical limits, integrating relevant timescales and orders of magnitude. The researchers contend that the current fossil-fueled industrial metabolism is inherently incompatible with long-term viability. They explain that post-fossil systems, which rely on renewable energy sources, are surface-, materials-, and power-intensive.
To achieve long-term sustainability, the researchers suggest that it’s not just about how much energy or material is used, but also about how it is used. They advocate for systems that favor organic, carbon-based chemistry with limited reliance on purified metals, operate at low power density, and maintain low throughput rates.
Achieving this vision requires radical technological shifts towards life-compatible systems and biogeochemical circular processes. The researchers also propose a paradigm change towards degrowth to a steady-state economy, which they believe is mutually reinforcing with technological shifts and provides a necessary foundation for a viable future.
For the energy sector, this research underscores the importance of considering fundamental physical constraints in the development and implementation of new technologies. It highlights the need for systems that are compatible with Earth’s natural processes and resources, and suggests that a shift towards low power density and low throughput systems could be key to long-term sustainability. The research also implies that the energy sector should be prepared for a potential shift towards a steady-state economy, which could impact energy demand and consumption patterns.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.