Doughnut Economics

Doughnut Economics–Amsterdam  adopted it, now others will hopefully too. Its advocates seek to have more cities in the world also adopt it. It comes from a 2014 book of the same name by Oxford economist  Kate Raworth who describes it as an economic model for the 21st century.  The doughnut of course is used as a metaphor to better convey the idea. Here is how it works. The inner ring of the doughnut means people meet certain basic standards for a good life,  food,  clean water, health care, gender equality, housing and income of course. Also included is having a political voice. People not able to meet this minimum fall into the doughnut hole. Outside the doughnut ring  is what is called the ecological overshoot, that means anything that would harm climate, soils, oceans, pollute water, interfere with biodiversity. Two young Israelis have teamed up with the Hershel Center for sustainability to promote the idea, and are holding meetings on Zoom. They hope to introduce it to the Tel Aviv-Jaffa community and hope to  be the leaders of a pilot program there. In a post covid era, new economic models to create human prosperity are needed, and the one from Doughnut Economics, may well be an answer. It is based upon the UN sustainable development goals. It aims at not only protecting human life, but planetary life. A goal is to meet human  basic and social needs without exploiting resources or overusing them.  Kate Raworth, The author, has launched a Doughnut Economic Action Lab or DEAL, which one can watch online and have a better idea of how it would work to be a positive force.