Mathematical models of economic growth and development could appear esoteric, unreal or even self-indulgent; but they shape, and are in turn shaped by, our conception of humanity’s place in the biosphere. Economists, in planning commissions, ministries of economics and finance, international organisations and private corporations, use the models to analyse data, forecast economic trajectories, evaluate options, and design policy. The economic models that government decision-makers routinely use can be traced directly to academic journals. In turn, economic models in academic journals reflect evolving societal beliefs about what is achievable. The influence is mutual.

Perhaps without conscious design, the macroeconomics of growth and development has been built on the view that human society is external to Nature. In contrast, when constructing the economics of biodiversity, we will keep in mind that we are embedded in it. The difference has profound implications for what we can legitimately expect of the human enterprise.