Social Metabolism and Labour in a Local Context: Changing Environmental Relations on Trinket Island1 Simron Jit Singh Clemens M. Gru¨nbu¨ hel Heinz Schandl Niels Schulz Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Austrian Universities (IFF)

From a material and energetic perspective, this paper outlines the patterns of society-
nature interactions of a local horticultural, hunter-and-gatherer population that
lives on a remote island between India and Indonesia. Based on empirical research,
we present several indicators to show an economic portfolio of a local society that
combines horticulture, hunting and gathering activities with elements of industrialisation
and market economy. In describing these environmental relations, the study
narrows its focus to the use of three socio-ecological concepts, namely socio-economic
metabolism, colonising natural processes, and the energetic return on investment.
Using these concepts, we show the dynamics of social and environmental
transformation at a local level and the consequences this may have for sustainability.
KEY WORDS: society-nature interactions; society’s metabolism; colonising nature; Material
Flow Accounting; Energy Flow Accounting; energetic return on investment; labour and time
budget analysis; human appropriation of net primary production; local sustainability; transition
studies.