Routledge Resource Efficiency Complexity and the Commons: The Paracommons and Paradoxes of Natural Resource Losses, Wastes and Wastages

The efficient use of natural resources is key to a sustainable economy, and yet the complexities of the physical aspects of resource efficiency are poorly understood. In this challenging book, the author proposes a major advance in our understanding of this topic by analysing resource efficiency and efficiency gains from the perspective of common pool resources, applying this idea particularly to water resources and its use in irrigated agriculture. The author proposes a novel concept of "the paracommons", through which the savings of increased resource efficiency can be viewed. In effect he asks; "who gets the gain of an efficiency gain?" By reusing, economising and avoiding losses, wastes and wastages, freed up resources are available for further use by four ‘destinations’; the same user, parties directly connected to that user, the wider economy or returned to the common pool. The paracommons is thus a commons of – and competition for – resources salvaged by changes to the efficiency of natural resource systems. The idea can be applied to a range of resources such as water, energy, forests and high-seas fisheries. Five issues are explored: the complexity of resource use efficiency; the uncertainty of efficiency interventions and outcomes; destinations of freed up losses, wastes and wastages; implications for resource conservation; and the interconnectedness of users and systems brought about by efficiency changes. The book shows how these ideas put efficiency on a par with other dimensions of resource governance and sustainability such as equity, justice, resilience and access. Review "Throughout the world, water managers and users face numerous concerns that collectively define a water crisis: growing competition for supplies of water, the need to grow more food with limited water, environmental pollution and degradation, and dealing with floods and droughts. Gains in water use efficiency are frequently hailed as the number one solution. However, others have pointed out that misuse and misunderstanding around efficiency could lead to counterproductive action – if farmers consume more scarce water supplies by becoming more efficient they may leave less for others – or that efficiency gains could result in less return flows back to the environment. Ultimately a more complete picture of water efficiency is required. Bruce Lankford addresses these critical issues head on, unpacking the term efficiency in water resource management to understand the winners and losers, costs and benefits of our water actions. This book is essential for water practitioners and researchers, and others involved in natural resource management, if we really want progress in water management." – David Molden, Director General, ICIMOD, Nepal  "This book is excellent. Virtually all the themes the author writes about are crucial to water (and energy and other paracommons resources) today and into the future. Efficiency, internalizing 'waste' as a resource, and tradeoffs in recapturing losses are treated here with profound insight, illustrated by conceptual figures, and demonstrated through case examples. The implications of this new way of thinking are only beginning to be felt, and so this volume is especially timely -- a "must read" for researchers, agency and NGO managers, and policy-makers alike." – Christopher Scott, Associate Professor, and 1885 Society Distinguished Scholar, University of Arizona "Bruce Lankford has written an exciting and innovative book. Resource Efficiency Complexity and the Commons develops the novel concept of ‘the paracommons’ through which savings of increased resource use efficiency can be viewed. It throws a new and bright light on how these efficiency gains in resource use may be made and transmitted and who benefits from them. Policy makers, scientific advisors and members of select committees should read this book, as well as graduates, research students and academic faculty." –