Version 1.0 (September 2020)
This tool is an introduction to the concept at the heart of Doughnut Economics. It's been designed as both a document that can be shared and a presentation that can be given in a classroom, a workshop or a meeting. Either download it as a pdf (below), open it within Google drive (links below) or scroll down to read on this page.
Open as a document in Google Docs
Open as a presentation in Google Slides
Think of it as a compass for human prosperity in the 21st century, whose goal is to meet the needs of all people within the means of the planet.
It consists of two concentric rings:
Between these two boundaries lies a doughnut-shaped space that is both ecologically safe and socially just – a space in which humanity can thrive.
1. The social foundation – below which lies critical human deprivation
2. The ecological ceiling – beyond which lies critical planetary degradation
These two boundaries are foundational in the sense that humanity should always seek to avoid critical human deprivation and critical planetary degradation. But how best to define their specific dimensions and measure their current status relative to desired outcomes will keep evolving over time.
(as of 2017)
The 12 dimensions of the social foundation are derived from the social priorities agreed in the Sustainable Development Goals (UN, 2015).
The 9 dimensions of the ecological ceiling are the nine planetary boundaries defined by Earth-system scientists (Steffen et al., 2015).
The image below reveals the current state of humanity and our planetary home: think of it as humanity’s ‘selfie’ in the early days of the 21st century.
Each dimension is measured, where possible, with 1 or 2 indicators, and the red wedges show the extent of shortfall and overshoot of the Doughnut’s social and planetary boundaries.
It shows us that millions of people still fall short on all 12 of the social dimensions, and that humanity has already overshot at least four planetary boundaries (air pollution and chemical pollution are currently unquantified).
To achieve the 21st century goal of meeting the needs of all within the means of the living planet means eliminating all of the red from the Doughnut diagram, and this must be done from both sides at the same time.
Kevin Shea
Baiting Hollow, Calverton, New York, United States of ...
Becoming effective altruistic, seeking to participate in politics of belonging, and doughnut economics
Karina Olavarria
Lo Barnechea, Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile
Quiero aprender sobre este sistema, porque me gustaría que en mi ciudad se repliquen estas ideas.
Stéphanie Gauthier
Les Houches, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
My objectives : improve my knowledge of change, take action through the pedagogy of change and resilience
Jane Whild
Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
I would like to see the Doughnut applied to my Borough.
Get inspired, connect with others and become part of the movement. No matter how big or small your contribution is, you’re welcome to join!
Alexandra Cook
London, England, United Kingdom
I'd like to bring doughnut economics into my KS3 Geography / KS5 Politics curriculum. Keen to collaborate with other educators.