One copper mine’s decision will secure drinking water for one million people by 2030. Los Bronces mine in Chile is ending all freshwater withdrawals, freeing between 14.7 and 43.2 million liters daily for communities in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions. This commitment represents the mining industry’s first large-scale attempt to operate entirely on desalinated seawater in a megadrought zone. ...
Five Farms, Six Billion Lives At the heart of global food security lies an apparent contradiction. While industrial agriculture dominates headlines and policy discussions, 608 million family farms scattered across the developing world quietly produce 35% of the planet’s food on just 12% of agricultural land123. These smallholder farmers, working plots smaller than most suburban backyards, support approximately 3 billion people45 - nearly 40% of humanity. Their story reveals both the remarkable resilience of traditional farming systems and the urgent need for transformation as planetary boundaries strain under agricultural pressure. ...
Historical Evolution of Water Security Understanding The understanding of water security has evolved significantly over time, particularly in conjunction with the growing awareness of climate change. Historically, water management often focused on ensuring supply for specific sectors like agriculture or urban consumption, often through large-scale infrastructure projects such as dams and irrigation systems1. However, the late 20th and early 21st centuries saw a broadening of the concept of “water security” to encompass not just quantity but also quality, ecosystem health, and the equitable distribution of water resources23. ...
Social Capital and Mental Wellbeing in a Sustainable World Social capital represents a critical element within the social foundation of the Doughnut Economics framework that plays a vital role in shaping mental health outcomes. Networks, relationships, trust, and social cohesion that exist within communities have emerged as significant determinants of mental health across various populations and contexts12. The concept encompasses both cognitive elements (perceptions of trust and reciprocity) and structural components (social participation and networks), with each contributing uniquely to mental wellbeing34. ...
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. ...