YES! Introducing: Doughnut Economics for Taos Can we embrace an economic system which allows our whole community to thrive? Humanity's 21st century challenge for a liveable world is to meet the needs of all within the means of the planet Between Earth's planetary boundaries and the foundations of human social well being lies an environmentally safe and socially just space in which humanity and all of life can thrive In other words, we need to ensure that we do not collectively exceed the finite limits of our Earth's life - supporting systems upon which we depend for survival, while ensuring that none fall short of essential needs and rights. Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics model of planetary and social boundaries can act as a compass for progress in the 21st century This doughnut actually turns out to be good for us! The Doughnut might seem new, but the underlying ideas are ancient Doughnut Economics builds on existing models for human needs and Earth’s limits ► Indigenous cultures around the world, like Taos Pueblo, have lived on this planet for many thousands of years without destroying the environment ► In nature nothing is wasted! ► We can learn from Indigenous cultures and from all of nature’s systems how to live and thrive within the limits of our planetary boundaries The doughnut’s circular form recalls symbols from many ancient traditions What does this have to do with doughnuts, though? The doughnut is a vision for human prosperity in the 21 st centu ry ► Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics model of planetary and social boundaries illustrates how Earth’s ecological limits and society’s fundamental needs fit together ► It consists of two concentric rings: • The ecological ceiling – to ensure that humanity does not collectively overshoot planetary boundaries • The social foundation – to ensure that no one is left falling short on life’s essentials For more details, check out Kate Raworth’s TED talk ► Earth's environmental ceiling consists of nine planetary boundaries as set out by Rockstrom et al, beyond which lie unacceptable environmental degradation and potential tipping points in Earth's systems. The Doughnut builds on existing models for human needs and Earth’s limits https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary - boundaries.html ► The twelve dimensions of the social foundation are derived from the internationally agreed upon minimum social standards identified by the world's governments in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 https://sdgs.un.org/goals The Doughnut builds on existing models for human needs and Earth’s limits A view of where we are now on Planet Earth Regenerative design moves us away from the degenerative cycle that depletes Earth’s systems Degenerative Running down Earth’s life - supporting systems Regenerative Working with and within the cycles of the living world What can we do locally to encourage businesses to take responsibility for their degenerative practices? Distributive design creates organizations that better support the social foundation Divisive Capturing opportunity and value in the hands of a few Distributive Sharing opportunity and value with all who co - create it Three key principles of circularity: 1. Waste from one process becomes food for the next 2. Modular design: the economy is designed so things can be disassembled/taken apart so just the piece that needs repairing can be fixed and the thing can continue to be used instead of discarded 3. Reduce, Restore, Repair, Reuse, Refurbish, and only ultimately Recycle Doughnut Economics comes to life when local organizations begin to embody regenerative and distributive design ► Create to Regenerate ► Design to Distribute Can Taos County live within the Doughnut? ► The challenge before us: How can our community become a home to thriving people in a thriving place, while respecting the wellbeing of all people and the health of the whole planet? ► The fundamental shift: Transform the concept of economic progress based upon endless expansion to one based on thriving in balance Let’s focus on how to make our community thrive , whether or not it grows! The Doughnut provides a framework for creative and transformative change, locally ► Organizations at the local level – businesses , city or county departments , community organizations , nonprofits , and beyond can take steps to enact regenerative and distributive design ► At the heart of change is the design of the organization itself ► There are five key design traits that shape what an organization can do and be in the world: purpose, networks, governance, ownership, and finance ► Together these design traits profoundly shape an organization's ability to become regenerative and distributive by design , and so help bring humanity into the Doughnut The Deep Design of local government and infrastructure EXTRACTIVE & DIVISIVE GENERATIVE & DISTRIBUTIVE Which way to a liveable future? The Deep Design Who are we missing? Each of these entities’ designs has some extractive and divisive elements and some generative and distributive elements to some degree... Recycle Center Taos Landfill Juan I. Gonzales Agricultural Center The Five Design Traits ► Purpose : What is Taos’ vision, its purpose, its ambition? Purpose is demonstrated though powerful acts of words, possibly voiced in a new mission statement. Leadership takes a big role in showing purpose. ► Networks : How is Taos connected to its residents, its assemblage, its industries, at recognizing interconnections possible in a circular economy? Can we create a circular city scan, which no one company is going to do? The Town and County can play the role of coordinating and bringing us together so we can begin to create circularity. How can Taos join progressive networks with other cities ( ie : local governments focused on sustainability)? How do our governing bodies relate to others and hold themselves to their values? ► Governance : How is Taos governed? Who is in the room when decisions get made and who has a voice in those decisions? How is progress towards the purpose measured and how is that purpose safeguarded when under pressure? Shall we drive value and opportunity into the hands of the few or can we share it far more equitably with all? ► Ownership: Who owns the sources of wealth creation in Taos County (TSV?) Who owns the housing, energy, healthcare, businesses (local vs corporate or multinational), airport, hotels, water etc ? Is Taos ownership divisive, driving value and opportunity into the hands of the few, or is it distributive, sharing it more equitably with all? Supporting local enterprises creates local wealth. The design of ownership profoundly shapes the last – and deepest – design trait: ► Finance: $$$$ How is Taos financed and what is that finance demanding? Is it seeking fast and high financial returns, or it is invested in generating social and ecological value, with or without financial return? Is that finance in service to our organization's purpose, or in service to itself? ► Can Taos use its annual budgeting process to create a well being budget? ► Can Taos use its power of procurement to purchase locally? ► Can Taos divest from fossil fuels and invest in the future it wants to bring about? ► How is Taos County invested? ToT ? TSV? Finance T his process can be done at every level from organizations to businesses, towns, cities, counties, states, entire countries. All it takes is community members all working together alongside leaders with the political will to implement change. What can we do to bring Doughnut Economics to life here in Taos, through our govt and through our local businesses? ► What can Taos stop doing now because it is within our power? ► What can Taos start doing now because it is within our power? ► What is at the level of the region, state, nation? Overwhelming? Think Systems: Start Where you Are! ► Don’t think you have to find the whole answer, a grand strategy; go where your contribution is greatest ► Adapt and keep moving; take the high ground, stay in contact and improvise the rest ► Combine insider and outsider strategies : https://oxfamapps.org/fp2p/how - can - a - book - change - the - world - the - theory - of - action - behind - kate - raworth - and - the - doughnut - economics - action - lab/