How the Dutch are reshaping their post-pandemic economy - BBC REEL

Summary

The 'Doughnut' model proposes a sustainable future by meeting human needs within planetary boundaries. It challenges traditional economic systems and suggests a holistic approach to policy-making for thriving societies. Amsterdam's circular city strategy and Costa Rica's regenerative nation initiative exemplify practical applications. The model emphasizes the need for transformative policies that prioritize well-being and resilience over endless growth.

Takeaways

• 🍩 The 'Doughnut' model aims to meet human needs without exceeding the Earth's resources.
• 🌐 It challenges traditional economic systems like capitalism, communism, and socialism, suggesting new ideas are needed.
• 📈 The reliance on GDP as a measure of success is criticized due to its failure to account for environmental and social crises.
• 🌱 The model proposes a 'dashboard' to track progress on various dimensions of sustainability.
• 🚀 The outer boundary of the 'Doughnut' is defined by the nine planetary boundaries that must not be exceeded to maintain a stable climate and ecosystems.
• 🕳️ The inner circle represents the minimum resources needed to avoid destitution and ensure everyone has access to essentials like food, water, and healthcare.
• 🌿 Amsterdam has been a pioneer in applying the 'Doughnut' model at a city level, aiming for a circular economy.
• 🏙️ The 'Doughnut' encourages holistic planning that considers social, environmental, and economic impacts.
• 🌎 It promotes the idea that cities can and should consider their global impact, such as how their consumption affects people in other countries.
• 🔄 The 'Doughnut' model is adaptable to both high and low-income countries, as seen in initiatives like 'Regenerate Costa Rica'.
• ⏳ Rapid transformation is possible, as demonstrated by policy changes during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the 'Doughnut' concept?

The main goal of the 'Doughnut' concept is to meet the needs of all people within the means of the planet, ensuring that humanity's pressure on Earth does not exceed the limits of what the planet can sustain.

What are the three 'isms' mentioned in the script that people often associate with economic systems?

The three 'isms' mentioned are capitalism, communism, and socialism.

Why is the pursuit of endless GDP growth seen as problematic in the script?

The pursuit of endless GDP growth is seen as problematic because it leads to issues like climate breakdown, COVID-19 lockdowns, and financial meltdowns, indicating that it does not equate to true success or well-being.

What are the nine planetary boundaries mentioned in the script?

The nine planetary boundaries are: a stable climate, healthy oceans, recharging fresh water, and six other life-supporting systems of planet Earth that were identified by earth system scientists.

What is the significance of the inner circle in the 'Doughnut' model?

The inner circle in the 'Doughnut' model signifies the minimum level of resource use necessary to ensure that people have access to the essentials of life such as food, water, energy, healthcare, housing, education, and political voice.

How does the 'Doughnut' model apply to urban planning, as exemplified by Amsterdam?

Amsterdam used the 'Doughnut' model to devise a strategy for becoming a fully circular city by 2050, focusing on creating housing available for all income levels while supporting the well-being of residents and reducing global emissions.

What is the 'City Doughnut' and how does it help in understanding a city's impact?

The 'City Doughnut' is a localized version of the 'Doughnut' model applied to a city. It helps in understanding the city's impact by showing how actions in one place, like Amsterdam, can affect people and environments in distant locations, such as Bangladesh.

What changes did policymakers in Amsterdam realize they needed to make to align with the 'Doughnut' model?

Policymakers in Amsterdam realized they needed to change their internal organization to be more holistic and connected in their planning and policy to aim for a goal that focuses on thriving, resilience, and well-being within the community.

How can the 'Doughnut' model be adapted for use in low-income countries?

The 'Doughnut' model can be adapted for use in low-income countries by focusing on regenerative practices and strategies that guide them towards sustainable development within planetary boundaries, as exemplified by the initiative 'Regenerate Costa Rica'.

What does the script suggest about the speed of policy change in response to crises?

The script suggests that policy change can happen almost overnight when governments decide to make it happen, as demonstrated by rapid policy responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What role does the 'Doughnut' model play in fostering collective dialogue and action?

The 'Doughnut' model fosters collective dialogue and action by bringing together various themes of social and environmental aspects, encouraging conversations among different departments and stakeholders to create holistic strategies.