Doughnut Economics

Shift your focus from GDP growth to thriving within the safe and just space of the Doughnut to ensure sustainable development.

Think of the economy not as a machine, but as a garden. Just like a garden, it shouldn't strive to grow endlessly but to be as healthy and balanced as possible.

• The Doughnut highlights environmental ceilings and social foundations, ensuring everyone has access to life's essentials.
• Prioritizing GDP growth ignores planetary boundaries, often leading to environmental degradation and social inequalities.
• A balanced approach fosters long-term resilience and well-being for both human societies and ecosystems.

Visualize the doughnut model and identify one area in your life or community where you can transition towards sustainable practice.

Avoid equating economic success solely with increased consumption; instead, focus on quality and sustainability.

Realign your understanding of progress by critically assessing whether perpetual growth is beneficial or detrimental.

Imagine steering a car with a stuck accelerator. Just as you need to slow down to navigate safely, the economy also requires moments of pause and reflection.

• Endless growth is unsustainable on a finite planet, creating environmental strain.
• Wealthy nations can shift priorities towards improving quality of life rather than expanding economies.
• Sustainable prosperity involves innovation that resonates with ecological and social health.

Write down the ways in which you measure personal success and contemplate whether they rely too heavily on material or economic growth.

Don't assume that more consumption equals more happiness; sometimes less is more.

Adopt regenerative approaches that restore and enhance the world, rather than deplete its resources.

Think of a forest, thriving through cycles of regeneration, rather than an oil field being endlessly extracted with no replenishment.

• Regenerative practices replenish ecosystems, ensuring resources for future generations.
• These approaches encourage innovation and creativity in addressing climate challenges.
• Communities and businesses embracing regeneration often see increased resilience and adaptability.

Start a small-scale regenerative project in your home or community like composting or rainwater harvesting.

Avoid short-term fixes that harm long-term sustainability; think about the broader impact.