Climate’s Deepening Imprint on Global Income and Work The global economy stands at a critical juncture as climate change increasingly disrupts established economic systems and transforms working conditions worldwide. Income and Work represent a key dimension of the social foundation within the Doughnut Economics framework, as climate driven changes reshape labor markets, productivity, and economic output globally. ...
Housing’s Foundational Role in the Doughnut’s Sweet Spot The housing crisis facing communities worldwide reflects a fundamental breakdown in how societies organize and distribute this essential human need. Within the Doughnut Economics framework, housing represents a critical component of the social foundation—the minimum standards required for all people to live in dignity and security.1 This analysis examines the housing crisis through the lens of “safe and just space for humanity,” exploring how current housing systems transgress both social boundaries (by failing to meet basic human needs) and planetary boundaries (through unsustainable development practices). This approach emphasizes housing as a critical social foundation, a concept intrinsically linked to the Doughnut’s broader ambition of achieving collective prosperity within ecological limits.12 Indeed, housing security directly impacts health, education, economic opportunity, and community resilience—all essential elements of the social foundation that supports human flourishing. ...
A History of the Gap and How We Measure It The gender pay gap has deep historical roots in the gendered division of labor and societal norms regarding women’s participation in the workforce. To begin with, equal pay legislation has been implemented in many countries—with the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention dating back to 1951—yet implementation gaps and structural barriers have limited progress1. During its tracking period since 2006, the World Economic Forum has found that while some improvement has occurred, the pace of change remains frustratingly slow2. The global gender gap score in 2023 stood at 68.4% closed, representing only marginal improvement from 68.1% in 20222. Examining the constant sample of 102 countries covered continuously from 2006 to 2023 reveals that the gap stands at 68.6% closed, demonstrating the persistent nature of this inequality2. ...
Air pollution represents one of the most significant environmental health risks globally, with wide-ranging impacts across the human lifespan. Evidence from numerous scientific studies confirms that exposure to air pollutants—particularly fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$), nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), and ozone ($O_3$)—is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, adverse birth outcomes, and cognitive impairments1. Even short-term exposure to pollutant levels below many regulatory standards can cause measurable health effects. Current research indicates that air pollution is responsible for approximately 8.1 million deaths annually worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of preventable deaths1. Within the Doughnut Economics framework, air pollution represents a critical planetary boundary that, when exceeded, directly undermines the social foundation of human health. The ecological ceiling breach creates a complex challenge requiring integrated policy approaches addressing both environmental protection and health equity to create a safe and just space for humanity. ...
Past Struggles and Current Gaps The journey toward inclusive civic participation shows a significant evolution from limited representation to broader engagement. Initiatives like the Making All Voices Count program (2013-2017) marked milestones by fostering innovative ways to promote accountable governance, born from an understanding that historical power imbalances excluded many voices12. This historical progression involves ongoing struggles against entrenched power, gradually expanding the concept of who deserves representation, though practice often lags behind ideals. The Brookings Institution frames this within a long historical arc toward full democratic participation, suggesting expanded civic engagement is key to addressing inequities and realizing democracy’s promise34. ...