You’re referring to the "Doughnut of Social and Planetary Boundaries"!
The Doughnut, also known as the "Doughnut Economics" model, is a visual framework developed by Kate Raworth, a British economist, to illustrate the state of the world in terms of social and planetary boundaries. It’s a powerful tool to understand the complex relationships between human well-being, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Here’s a brief overview:
The Doughnut:
The Doughnut consists of two concentric rings:
- The Inner Ring (Social Foundation): Represents the minimum social standards that must be met to ensure human well-being, such as:
- Access to food, water, and sanitation
- Healthy life expectancy
- Education and social equity
- Peace and justice
- Democratic institutions
- The Outer Ring (Environmental Ceiling): Represents the planetary boundaries that must not be exceeded to avoid environmental degradation and collapse, such as:
- Climate change (greenhouse gas emissions)
- Ocean acidification
- Deforestation and land degradation
- Freshwater depletion
- Biodiversity loss
The Doughnut’s Key Message:
The world is currently out of balance, with many social foundations not being met, while at the same time, we are exceeding several planetary boundaries. This puts humanity at risk of falling into a "hole" of social and environmental degradation.
Key Challenges:
- Meeting social foundations: Many people around the world still lack access to basic needs like food, water, and education.
- Staying within planetary boundaries: We are exceeding several environmental limits, such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
- Achieving a balance: We need to find a way to meet both social and environmental needs, ensuring human well-being while preserving the planet’s natural systems.
Implications and Actions:
To get back into balance, we need to:
- Rethink economic growth: Focus on qualitative growth that prioritizes human well-being and environmental sustainability, rather than just quantitative growth (GDP).
- Implement sustainable practices: Transition to renewable energy sources, reduce waste and pollution, and promote sustainable agriculture and land use.
- Ensure social equity: Prioritize access to basic needs, education, and social protection for all, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
- Governance and policy reforms: Implement policies that support a balanced approach to development, integrating social and environmental considerations.
The Doughnut of Social and Planetary Boundaries offers a compelling framework for understanding the complex relationships between human well-being, social justice, and environmental sustainability. By recognizing the need for balance and taking action to address these challenges, we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
