Nate Hagens, an educator and thinker known for his work on energy and resource systems, would define the term 'circular economy' as a systems-oriented framework aimed at restructuring industrial processes and consumption patterns. This paradigm emphasizes the minimization of waste and the continual use of resources. Hagens would highlight that a circular economy challenges the traditional linear 'take-make-dispose' model by promoting principles such as design for longevity, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. He would likely underscore the significance of considering not just material flows, but also energy and ecological impacts, aligning economic activities more closely with the natural cycles and energy constraints of the planet. By doing so, the circular economy addresses both resource scarcity and environmental degradation, steering society towards sustainability and resilience amidst the ongoing energy and ecological crises.

See also: ecological economics, renewable energy, design principles, economic system, ecological footprint