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Introduction: Land Conversion in the Doughnut Land conversion involves both the legal and physical alteration of land from one category to another, carrying significant implications for social well-being and environmental sustainability12. This process typically necessitates regulatory approval, particularly when agricultural land is repurposed for residential, commercial, or industrial uses12. Within the Doughnut Economics framework, land conversion serves as a crucial factor that can either foster sustainable development or drive societies beyond ecological boundaries, contingent upon its management34. ...

From Absence of War to Foundations of Wellbeing The concept of peace within global frameworks has evolved significantly over decades. Initially narrowly defined as the “absence of war” in traditional UN approaches, peace has progressively expanded to encompass positive attributes of social harmony, justice, and human security12. The Brundtland Report in 1987 marked a pivotal expansion, integrating conflict prevention as a key sustainability consideration. ...

The Evolving Story of Freshwater Thinking The recognition of freshwater as a finite and vulnerable resource with planetary boundaries has evolved significantly over recent decades. Historically, water was primarily viewed through a resource extraction lens, with little consideration for sustainability limits or equitable access. The emergence of environmental consciousness in the 1960s and 1970s began shifting this perspective, highlighting connections between water quality, ecosystem health, and human wellbeing. ...

Setting the Stage for Change The concept of reduced working time opens an opportunity to reimagine economic systems that respect both human needs and environmental thresholds. Shorter working hours could simultaneously support social welfare while reducing environmental pressures, contributing to an economic model that operates within the safe and just space between meeting human needs and respecting planetary boundaries. ...

Ecological Impacts of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Runoff Eutrophication and Aquatic Dead Zones Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers enter waterways through surface runoff and leaching, triggering eutrophication—a process where algal blooms deplete dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic “dead zones” incapable of supporting marine life12. The scale of this crisis is particularly evident in the Gulf of Mexico, where a massive 6,334-square-mile dead zone persists due to Midwestern agricultural runoff. This environmental catastrophe has decimated local fishing industries, reducing shrimp catches by 40% and destabilizing coastal economies that have relied on these waters for generations34. ...