Ecological economics, as described by Nate Hagens, is an interdisciplinary field that transcends traditional economic boundaries by integrating ecological principles with economic thinking to address the sustainable scale of human activities. This approach acknowledges the finite nature of Earth's resources and the necessity to balance human demands with the planet's capacity to regenerate. Hagens emphasizes that ecological economics challenges the conventional focus on perpetual growth, proposing instead a paradigm that prioritizes environmental health, social well-being, and equitable resource distribution. By addressing the complex interconnections between economic systems and ecological limits, this field seeks to create resilient and adaptive societies that thrive within the natural boundaries of our planet.

See also: carrying capacity, ecological footprint, renewable energy, economic growth, fossil fuel